
Glass . 
Book. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 



POPULAR HISTORY 

OF 

ERIE COUNTY, 



PENNSYIaVANIA. 



A CONDENSED STETCH OF THE STATE, COMPLETE HISTORY 
OF THE COUNTY; ITS CITIES, VILLAGES, TOWNSHIPS; 
EDUCATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT; 
AND BIOGRAPHIES OF PROMINENT MEN. 

STHTISTICH, POLITICHL. RIW MISCELLUNEOUS MHTIEE, 






I 

By D. p. ROBBINS, M. D. ^t\^'^ 

Author nf "Health and Happmess;" "MEdical REceipts/' 
and NuniErDus Histarical SkEtchss nf Cities. 



ERIE, PENN. 

ADVERTISER PRINTING CO., Ltd. 

1895. 



AX- 



COPYRIGHTED, 1894 

BY D. P. ROBHINS, M. D., ERIE, PA. 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



)- |6)7^7-(M 



PRE.FAGE1. 

■ in a larsre sense, one could say there is no pure or- 
iginality. All minds quote. Old and new make the 
warp and woof of every moment. We quote not only 
books and proverbs, but arts, sciences, religion, eas- 
terns and laws; nuy, we quote temples and houses, 
tables and chairs by imitation." — Emerson. 

A historian, from the nature of his work, cannot be original. He is compelled 
CO quote, either in words or in fact. He may narrate in bis own words but as he 
is reproducing an oft told tale, must necessarily soinowliere. encroach upon the 
language of earlier sketchers. Hence while we are under obligations, to scores of 
form.er writers, upon the subjects under discussion: and have refered to an hun- 
dred books, as well as numerous manuscripts and i-ecords. we are under no partic 
ular obligation to any individual, excepting as a matter of courtesy, and all who 
have in any manner aided in this work, alike have the sincere thanks of the 
author. 

The first duty of an historian is to ascertain and record facts. To narrate a 
succession of events, in a correct and concise manner, as a plain unvarnished tale, 
has been the effort of the writer in the following pages. No attempt has been 
made at word painting nor to relate "interesting reminiscences." Extensive re- 
search has been made, both of original and printed documents, with the simple 
end in view to secure and record, reliable facts. 

Individuals, have to do, with county state and national matters and in that 
.sense are a part of history. Biographical notes, given with sti-ict reference to 
fact, are important in establishing dates and occurrences, but when filled with 
gush and fulsome praise are not only unimportant but nauseating. Shorn of these 
however, brief biographical notes are valuable historical pointers and as such we 
have not only made mention of William Penn and all the governors of this State, 
but the principal actors in Erie County history. In City. Village and Township 
History will be found brief biographies of the leading families, whether such per 
j<ms have subscribed for this work or not. 

While this history is not as "bulky," as some of like impoi't, the author be- 
lieves that in reality it covers many more important features, regarding Erie 
County, than any of its predecessors: as a special effort has been made to condense 
as closely as compatible with an intelligent understanding of the facts and to dis- 
card everything of a traditional or insignificant nature. 

To commemorate and record, the events of a century of development in this 
county, this work has been comi iled, and although it appeared to be a hazardous 
undertaking from a financial s andpoint. no labor has been spared in making a 
solid foundation by thoroi gh reseai'ch. The paper used is the finest quality of 
book the printing and illust ations are superb and at present writing we have 
every assurance ihat merit, industry, zeal and perseverance will bring their 
proper reward. Thk Publishers, 




U. S. STEAMER MICHIGAN. 



PRE HISTORIC 5 

Pre-Historic to Present Century. 

The Lake Region is full of interest for the student of American history, both 
present and remote. Long before the Indians, of whom we have record, roamed 
throug^h this section, it is believed to have been inhabited by a superior people — 
of whom not even a tradition remains— whose only monuments are earthworks and 
tumuli, scattcrd here and there, in some places containing bones from men of gi- 
gantic size. Whether these were a distinct people from the aboriginal Indians or 
not, we may never know; but it is reasonable to suppose that they wore predeces- 
sors, or a division of the half civilized race, from whom the Mexican Aztecs de- 
scended. Mounds and relics from these "Mound Builders" were formerly abund- 
ant throughout the Ohio and Mississippi valleys and especially in this section. If a 
separate race from the Indians, when and by what agency they were destroyed, 
will probably remain a mystery as deep as that of the lost island "Atlantis " 

EARLY EXPLORATIONS.— The Colonization and subsequent settlement 
of America has largely resulted from the movements of three distinct nations and 
while we shall not attempt to follow out these developments in detail, a brief out 
line will be given. Although America, along the northern Atlantic coast, was 
doubtless discovered by Norsemen about A. D. 980 and explored by Lief Erichson's 
party as far south as Massachusetts in 1002, yet the colony which was planted upon 
its shore succumbed, and the New World was left in obscurity until after its redis- 
covery by Columbus, who landed at Hispanoli, October 12, 1492. August 1, 1498 he 
discovered South America and Ponce de Leon sailed into the harbcr at St. 
Augustine, Fla., on Easter Sunday 1512. In 1540 the Spaniards, from Mexico, pen- 
etrated the western part of this country, along the line of the Rocky Mountains, 
while about the same time the daring Ferdinand DeSoto, landed with sevei-al 
hundred warriors in Florida, marching through six of the southern states and as 
far north as St. Louis, Mo. The Spaniards thus made known, much of the va; t 
area of this country and thereby assisted in its development. Shortly afterwuids 
the French explorers, crossed the North Atlantic. Settlements were made at 
Nova ScoLia and along the St. Lawrence about the year 1600. The Jesuit Fathers 
accompanied these daring explorers and were among the first to attempt to 
Christianize the Indians. LaRoche Daillon, an early French Missionary, visited 
Canada in 1626 and preached to the famous Neutral Nation. He also crossed 
the Niagara river and reached certain Indian villages west of Buffalo: but the 
warlike Eries held the entire south shore from Cataraugus Creek to Sandusky and 
he was deterred from further explorations. 

The Eries. — So called historians, who delight in reminiscences and tradition, 
have given many pages of word painting regarding the extermination of theEries, 
the populous tribe which formerly occupied this section of country; but as White 
men were than rarely among them, this early Indian tradition is unworthy of be- 
ing called history. It is purely legendary and the various compilers agree in but 
one point, which is that the Eries, known among the Whites as the Neutral Nation, 
in a deadly feud with the Iroquois, were exterminated shortly after the year 1650. 
Subsequent to this the victors, known as the Six Nations — composed of the Onon- 
dagas, Cayugas, Senecas.Oneidas. Mohawks and Tuscaroras — claimed possession of 
the territory contiguous to the lakes from Vermont, to the west end of Lake Erie. 
The French from their natural politeness, were generally more successful in re- 
taining the Indians as friends and allies than the English Colonies and the latter 
were much retarded and harassed from time to time by Indian massacrees and 
depredations. 



6 ERIE COUNTY HISTOTY. 

The Alg-onquin tribes are the earliest aborigines here of wliom we find record 
and of them but meagre mention. They are reported to have held all the region 
so'uth of Lake Ei-ie prior to the advent of the Erie^. The Indians were generally 
of a migratory disposition however, and fi-om time to tim 3 rambled ovei a wi lo 
secM"*i •'■ " >'iMti-v 

FRENCH HISTORY-— The cavalier Robt. de LaSalle, in 1669, crossed 
through a trackless wilderness, from the south shore of Lake Erie to the Ohio, 
descending the entire length of that beautiful river. He published in 1672 a map 
of Lake Erie and this region of country, — partly drawn from imagination — and in 
1678, five miles above Niagara falls he built "The Ginflfln" a sailing craft of 64 tons 
burthen. With Father Hennepin, a mate named Tonty and 34 seaman. LaSalle 
navigated the lakes as far as Green Bay, Wis. Here the boat was loaded with 
furs and in charge of the mate and 15 seaman started for the head of Lake Michi- 
gan, while LaSalle, Father Hennepin and the others proceeded by land; but as the 
boat was never heard from thereafter it was evidently lost in a storm. The 
French explored the Mississippi valley and claimed for their king all of Canada and 
the region from the Alleghanies to the Rocky Mountains. There were num- 
erous bloody encounters between the Indians and the French, from 1670 to 1715. 
when a treaty of peace was effected through Chabert Joncai-e a young Frenchman 
who had been reared by the Indians. In 1752 the French erected Ft. Presque 
Isle at Erie, and Ft. LeBoeuf at Waterford Pa. The following year George 
Washington, as an embassy from Gov. Dinwiddle, of Va., was sent to Ft. Le Boeuf, 
to request the French Commander to evacuate this section, as belonging to Eng- 
lish tem-itory in consequence of the treaty made with the Indians at Albany, in 
1726, for all lands west of Lake Erie and a strip 60 miles broad along the south 
shore of the lake. It was not however until after the treaty of Paris. 1763, that 
this region of country was finally relinquished to British rule. 

THE PURITAN FATHERS.— We now turn back to take up the thread of 
our narrative and trace the colonization of New England. The Mayflower which 
sailed from Plymouth England, Sept. 6th 1620 anchored at New Plymouth, Mass. 
Dec. 11, having on board 42 men and 60 wumen and children. These pui-itans had 
fled from religious and political persecutions, to plant a free nation in the new 
world and with implicit confidence in the God of Destiny, they laid the foundations 
for American Liberty. They were compelled to contend with privation, and 
hunger, the French upon the north and west, the Spaniards in the far south and 
the Indians ^n their midst. By the time these questions were amicably settled. 
the mother country, by dint of taxation and usurpation, forced them to fight 
against their own kindred, for the precious boon of liberty. At the time of the 
Revolutionary war, this country had no white inhabitants. The area now com- 
prising the populous states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, 
was by an act of Congi-ess 1787. created the Northwest Territory. Settlement 
was made at Marietta, April 7, 1788 and the seat of government for the terri- 
tory located there. Gov. St Clair made a treaty with the Indians, but numerous 
bloody encounters were had until after Gen. Wayne's decisive victory at Maumee, 
in 1794. and the final treaty with the Iroquois in November following. This ended 
all further danger of savage uprising, in this vicinity and with the assurance of 
peace a new impetus was given to immigration and settlement. The Maasasauga 
Indians, a peaceful part of the Delaware tribe, continued in these parts for some 
time after the arriva' of the early wh'te settlers. 




COL. SETH REED. 




GILES SANFORD. 



THOS. H. SILL. 



DUTCH AND SWEDES 

Dutch and Swedes.— Before commencing the biography of William Penn, 
and history of Pennsylvania proper, it may be well to note in brief the prior 
settlement upon Delaware Bay. All new countries are first settled where the in- 
habitants have access to shipping interests and the magnificent harbor of Dela- 
ware Bay was early recognized as a desirable landing. Cornelius Jacobson 
Mey, Governor of Manhattan, in 1623, accompanied by twelve men and five 
women laaded on the Delaware (which had been discovered by Hudson in employ 
of the Dutchin 1609,) a little below the present site of Pliiladelphia, and built Fort 
Nassau; in which he installed his colony and returned to Manhattan. After a few 
months this was abandoned and only remained a trading post. In 1629 a tract of 
land 16 square miles was purchased from the Indians, on the west side of the Del- 
aware near its mouth, awd Dec. 12, 1630, David P. DeVries from Sweden, with 
about 30 colonists, cattle and implements came to open developsment. The place 
was called Zwanendal. DeVries returned to his native land and in the summer of 
1632 came back with new supplies, only to find that his entire colony had been 
massacred by the Indians and he abandoned further settlement. The Dutch how- 
ever sought to maintain the foothold, on the Delaware and fortified Port Nassau, 
capturing Holmes' Connecticut Colony, which in 1633 had attempted to make de- 
velopments there, and returning them as prisoners of war to Manhattan. 

In 1638, two vessels of Swedes and Finns, under command of Peter Minuit, ar- 
rivvid in Delaware Bay and from the Indians purchased the land from the Ocean ; 
to the falls of Trenton. The Dutch were in possession of Fort Nassau, but Min- ' 
u't notwithstanding their protest, erected another fort at the mouth of Christiana 
Creek and by proper diplomacy an open rupture with the Dutch or misunder- 
standing with the Indians was avoided and this Colony proved to be of consider- 
able permanency. Minuit died in 1641 and was succeeded by Peter Hollandaer, 
who two years later gave place to John Printz, who erected a royal mansion, built 
oCier fortsand in 1646 made aggressive inroads upon the previous Dutch posses- 
si ns. Peter Stuyvesant who succeeded to the chief authority of New Nether- 
land, (New York) in 1647, was more than a match for Printz, established new forts 1 
on both sides of the mouth of the Delaware and by force of arms, backed by docu- j 
mentary evidence from the Dutch West India Co., proved the prior right of his 
people to the soil. Printz sailed for Sweden Oct. 1653, leaving his son-in-law 
John Pappegoya in command of the colony. He was instructed to make ami- 
cable settlement with the Dutch and keep friendly relations with the English. ' 
Til is however he failed to do and in Sept. 1655, Stuyvesant landed 600 armed men 
and compelled the Swedes to surrender and this colony came to an end. By the 
conquest of New Sweden, Stuyvesant aroused the claims of Lord Baltimore of 
Maryland and many changes were enacted during the next score of years. Under 
Stuyvesant, John Paul Jacquet was vice-director of settlements on the Delaware, 
succeeded by Jacob Alrichs in 1657. He gave sub-power to Goeran Van Dyck over 
the Swedes and Finns who by Stuyvesant had been allowed to retain individual 
possession of their lands. This power succeeded to Wm. Beekman in 1628 and 
was held 5 years by him. Aldrichs was succeeded by Alex. D'Hinoyossa in 1659. 
The latter refused to recognize Stuyvesant as his superior,claIming that his source 
of power was from the commissioners of the city of Amsterdam and in 1663 visi- 
ted Holland to secure for the City Company the right of independent government. 
This was granted but was of short duration as the conquest of New Netherland by 
the English, in 1661, brought a different source of power, from the British Crown 
«ud Ministry. 



WILLIAM PENN 1^ 

English Rule,— V'irginia and Maryland under their broad charters, hud 
repeatedly claimed the territory on the Delaware, Massachusetts and Connecticut 
also laid claim for everything westward to the Pacific. The English Crown had 
always claimed the territory which the Dutch had been permitted to occupy, 
liar. 12, 1664 Charles II granted a patent to his brother James to all the territory 
between the Connecticut and the Delaware rivers. Four vessels, with armament 
and 450 soldiers, were sent in command of Col. Richard Nicholls,to take possession 
of the territory thus conveyed and on Sep. 8th, Stuyvesant surrendered I^anhattan 
without resistance. D'Hinoyossa on the Delaware was not so easily taken and at- 
temped fight with a poorly equipped fort, garrisoned by 50 men. He was soon how- 
ever compelled to surrender and Robert Needham was placed in command of the 
Delaware colonies. Captain John Carr succeeded to personal charge, under orders 
of Col. Francis Lovelace, in 1667, continuing to 1673, when New York was retaken by 
the Dutch and Captain Anthony Colve assumed supreme authority. A treaty of 
peace between England and the Netherlands made Feb. 9, 1674, restored New 
Netherlands to the English and Sir Edmond Andros was chief governor until the 
sale of rights to William Penn in 1681. 

William Penn.— No history in this state would be complete without biogra- 
phical reference to its illustrious founder, William Penn, who was born in the 
great city of London, Oct. 14, 1644. His father was a rich Admiral and William 
received a liberal education. Before completing his college course, he was con- 
verted to Quakerism by the preaching of Thos. Lee, and for his belief was ex- 
pelled from the university. The Admiral sent him in travel to France and Hol- 
land and upon his return, in 1666, he was put in chai-ge of the family estates in 
County Cork, Ireland, which he managed with great success. Here he again met 
the Quaker preacher and for attendance at these meetings was arrested and de- 
pofsed from his chai-ge on the Emerald Isle. On his return to London he engaged 
in preaching his faith and published in 1668 a sermon styled "The Sandy Founda- 
tion Shaken," for which he was imprisoned in the Tower. He wrote "No Cross 
No Crown" and other telling works, which aroused the sympathies of the Duke of 
York, through whose intercession he was liberated. On occount of his religious 
belief, Penn had several ruptures with his father, but when the Admiral reached 
his last illness in 1670 he sent for William and gave him the following mottoes: 

"1. Let nothing in this world tempt you to wrong your conscience; so you will 
keep peace at home, which will be a feast to you in the day of trouble. 

"2. Whatever you design to do, lay it justly and time it seasonably, for that 
gives security and dispatch. 

"3. Be not troubled at disappointments, for if they may be recovered, do it; if 
they cannot, worry is vain. These rules will carry you with firmness and comfort 
through this inconstant world." Like most other great men William had a noble 
loving mother who in boyhood helped to lay the principles of right. 

In 1672 Penn married Gulielma Maria Springe tt, to whom was born William 
Jr. and Letitia. She died in 1693, and two years later he was married to Hannah Cal- 
lowhill, this second union bringing five children, viz: John, Thomas, Richard, 
Dennis and Margaret. All the Penn estate in Engiand was willed to William 
Jr., who died Mar. 1720 and his only son Springett, died a few years later. The es- 
tate now reverted to Penn's wife Hannah and the three boys, Dennis having 
died in the meantime. The daughters each received 10,000 acres in Pennsylvania. 

Penn was several times imprisoned on account of his preaching, but was final- 
ly tolerated. In 1676, with others, he framed laws for the Colony of West New 




RESERVOIR FROM CEMETERY POINT. 



r.i^- 




VIEW OF ERIE CEMETERY. 




CAFT. D. P. DOBBINS 



12 PENNSYLVANIA 

ter various annoyances with commissioners and other appointees, July 27 1688, he 
appointed John Blackwell to be Lieut. Governoi' and admonished him to rule the 
meek, meekly and the haughty with authority." His reign however was only U 
years and the government again devolved upon the Council, Thos. Lloyd, Pres. 

Different Modes of Government.— Three forms of executive government 
had now been tried— a council of 18 members, five commissioners and a Lieut. Gov- 
ernor either of which had objections and Penn decided to leave it to the Council, 
as representative of the people, regarding the form of government to be adopted. 
The Council decided in favor of a Deputy Governor; but the members from the 
lower counties seceded and this consummated in the formation of Delaware as a 
separate province. 

In 1689 the Friends' Public School was incorporated in Philadelphia and was 
confirmed by subsequent patents from Penn. Penn's favor with James II caused 
him to be suspected of disloyalty, when William and Mary had come to the throne 
and he was at different times arrested but always proved his innocence. He was how- 
ever forced into seclusion for two or three years, to avoid persecution, and in the 
mean time George Keith caused a division among the Friends. After creating 
considerable commotion, he joined the Church of England and was ordained as 
vicar. Penn's enforced neglect of his colony and adverse reports, from internal 
enemies, caused William and Mary on Oct. 21, 1692, to revoke his right to Penn- 
sylvania and transfer the provincial government to Benjamin Fletcher Governor of 
I NewYork. Fletcher assumed authority April 29, 1693. The Pennsylvania Council 
1 however, while nominally accepting his right of authority, proceeded to enforce 
the laws in their own way and pay but little attention to the governor's requests. 
Penn was reinstated in his government Aug. 1694 and commissioned William 
Markham as Lieutenant Governor. A new constitution was now adopted making 
the Council 12 members and the Assembly 24. 

Penn's Second Coming. — Having satisfactorily an-anged all matters per- 
taining to his estate, on Sept. 9, 1699, accompanied by his family, Penn again 
sailed for the New World. Great joy was expressed upon his arrival and his 
presence for two yeai's, with wise counsel, assisted greatly in promoting harmony 
' in the province. He had come intending to spend his remaining years in America 
! but a bill being introduced into the House of Lords, "for reducing all the propri- 
etary governments in America to regal ones" he felt it important to return at once 
to England and plead his cav.se. He left here Nov. 1, 1701 and King William died 
Jan. 18, following. Anne of Denmark succeeded to the throne and Penn being 
again in favor at court, the pending bill was never called up. Gov. Andrew Ham- 
ilton whom Penn had appointed as his Deputy, on the eve of his departure, lived 
but one year and for a year the government devolved upon the Council, of which 
Edward Shippen officiated as president. John Evans a Welshman was next ao- 
pointed and with William Penn, Jr. arrived Dec. 1703. Evans' governorship con- 
tinued for six years, although it was far from satisfactory. Col. Charles Gookia 
was commissioned as Evans' successor. The old matter regarding Gov. Evans' con- 
duct, still continued to be agitated, and Penn's mind was much troubled. At 
the age of 68, with his fortunes used up by unworthy agents, gifts to Indian.) and 
other expenses for his colony he decided to sell his proprietary i-ights to Pennsyl- 
vania and offered it to the Crown for £20,000. This was considered too high and 
he had agreed to take £12.000 when he was stricken by apoplexy and incapacita- 
ted for buisiness. He was in the act of writing to Logan, his trusted American 



ENGLISH RULE 1^ 

"The end of govornmeut is first to terrify evil doers; secondly, ^o cherish 
tho.e who do well, which gives government a life ^/y^^'^.^^^P^^^;'' .^"j" ™f i^ 
itasdurablein the world as good men shall be. * * * "^7"^^' H thev 
reverence with the people and to secure them from the abuse of power ^^^^ * ^J 
may be free by their justobedience and the magistrates .^«"°^-f ^/^nce w h 
administration. F3r liberty without obedience is confusion, and obedience with 

out liberty is slavery." <<rr;,o ry^^ai 

At Penn's Indian Treaty made about this time, he said, Th^ C^.e^ 
Spirit who made us both rules tbi heavens and the earth. He knows the thoughts 
of men and knows that I and my friends have a hearty desire to live in peace and 
friendship with you and to serve you to the utmost of our power. It is not our 
custom to use hostile weapons, against our fellow creatures and so we have come 
unarmed. We have met on the broad pathway of good faith and goodwill, so that 
no advantage is to be taken on either side; but all to be openness brotherhood and 
love " The memory and compact, of this great treaty, was long respected by the 
natives and gave rise to the assertion, that this colony was the only one founded 
and sustained without bloodshed. Penn's deeds with the Indians, for lands pur- 
chased, were recorded in 1683; one of them providing that "the tract shall ex end 
as far back from the river as a man can walk in three days. The first half o 
this was walked by Penn in company with the Indians and covered 30 miles; but 
the last half of the purchase was not walked until 1733, when the walker stimula- 
ted by a prize of 500 acres of land and $25, made 85 miles in U days, to complete 

the extension. , , ..^^ , , „ ^, 

In the Fall of 1683, Penn wrote regarding Philadelphia, "It has advanced, 
within less than a year, to about four score houses and cottages, where merchants 
and handicrafts are following their vacations as fast as they can, while the coun- 
tr-ymen are close at their farms." 

Maryland's Area, which had been granted to Lord Baltimore conflicted with 
Penn's domains and in 1684 serious trouble was threatened, many of Penn's people in 
the Delaware country having been driven from their homes. He accordingly on 
June 6th, sailed for England to gain an audience with the Crown. On Dec. 6, 1684, ^ 
Charles II died, and was succeeded by his brother; known as James II, who was a 
professed Catholic and many feared lest the reign of Bloody Mary should be re- 
peated; upon ascending the throne however he proclaimed himself opposed to ar- 
bitrary principles of government and promised protection to the Church of England. 
Penn enjoyed the friendship of the King and interceded for the Quakers, of whom 
] 400 were in prisons for conscience sake. He also besought the King for the 
furtherance of universal liberty. In 1685 he received concessions regarding the 
disputed territory; but the Secretaries who formed the Royal Act, failed to un- 
derstand the geography of the country and as the division upon the lines de- 
scribed was found impossible the boundary remained undetermined till 1732. 
Through Penn's inlluence with James TI, the King issued a proclamation for gener- 
al pardon early in 1686 and 1,300 Quakers were released. In April 1687, he is- 
sued a declaration for entire liberty of conscience and suspending the penal laws 
in ecclesiastical matters; but the Aristocracy of Britain at that time did not want 
liberty of conscience, preferring persecution. Bitter reproaches were heaped upon 
Penn who was believed to be the power behind the throne and upon the advent of 
William, Prince of Orange and his wife Mary, they were recognized as rulers and 
James was compelled to flee to France for safety. Penn's commissioners and ap- 
pointees in the new province acted unwisely and caused him much anxiety. Af» 





HORACE GREELEY 







1 




^^^^^^L !!■ 


'-Wm-^ Mn-m, . 


RIBI^B 





1^1 %n 



M' '^m m 



if»: 



SCOTT BLOCK TENTH AND STATE 



. - V 




i« COLONIAL HISTORY 

Jersfcy and was for some time a leading trustee. He wrote: "Here we lay a found- 
ation for after ages to undex-stand their liberty as men and Christians, that they 
may not be brought in bondage, but by their own consent, for we Tpnt the power in fie 
people they to meet and choose one honest man for each district that subscribes to 
this constitution, all these men to meet in assembly, choose a governor or commis- 
sioner with assistants to execute the laws. No man to be arrested, condemned, 
imprisoned or molested of his estate or liberty except by a jury of twelve. No 
person to be called in question for worshiping according to his conscience." 

The information and experience gained by Penn, in this enterprise, assisted 
him to successfully lay the foundations for the great Commonwealth which bears 
his name. From his father he inherited a claim against the British Government 
for £16,000 and on March 4, 1681, was granted a patent from King Charles II, in 
liquidation thereof. The charter for this was drawn up with unexampled liberal- 
ity, covering a larger area than asked for. Penn was granted almost dictatorial 
power over a country as large as England itself which was named by the Court, 
Pennsylvania, in honor of the Admiral and his illustrious son. Penn says: "I first 
proposed 'New Wales' and when this was rejected suggested 'Sylvania' to which 
they prefixed Penn, although I much opposed it for I feared that it should be 
looked upon as a vanity in me." The tract commenced upon the Delaware at a 
point 12 miles northeast from New Castle, being bounded by a segment from there 
to the northeast corner of Maryland; thence west 250 miles, north to the 42° of 
latitude, east to the intersection of the Delaware river and south to the place of 
beginning. The original patent could have been interpreted to make the south- 
ern boundary on the thirty-ninth parallel; but as Maryland had prior claim, it long 
remained in dispute. In 1732, it was decided to commence on the segment, 12 
miles west from New Castle, and thence due west on latitude 39° 43' 26^', and 
some distance was surveyed. It was not again taken up until 1763, when two 
experts, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, began the work, upon which they 
were engaged for four years, reaching a point 214 miles west of the Delaware, 
when Indian threats compelled a cessation of the survey This being the line be- 
tween a slave and free state, gave rise to the cognomen "Mason & Dixon's Line" 
fi'om the name of the above surveyors. In later years, this has bt?en by some his- 
torians, confounded with the "Missouri Compromise" line, by which in 1821 it was 
agreed from mutual concassions, that thereafter slavei'y should not be extended 
farther northward in the territories than the latitude of 36° 30'. The completion 
of this survey was made in 1782, 100 years after Penn's first landing in America. 
Pennsylvania Colony. — As seen in prior history, both sides of Delaware 
river and bay had settlements of Swedes and Germans, and in the New Jersey 
section under Penn as trustee, a colony of Friends had been established. Penn 
sailed from his home in Sussex, England, August 1682, with about 100 planters, of 
whom some 30 died of smallpox while at sea. He landed at New Castle, Oct 27, 
and with those who had preceded him to the New World, endeavored to found 
a governraont upon the principles of the Golden Rule. He recognized the Indians 
as the oriL;inal owners of the land and by treaty purchased it from them. He had 
purchased from the Duke of York the area, now the state of Delaware, and this 
was compi'lsed in the government, formed by Penn and his people, Dec. 7. 1682. 
The laws were much like the New Jersey constitution and Penn said, "You shall 
be governed by laws of your own making and live a free, and if you will a sober and 
industrious people. I shall not usurp the right of any, nor oppress his person. 
God has furnished me with a good resolution and will give me grace to keep it." 



SUCCFSSTON OF GOVERNORS. ]7 

adviser, when his hand ceased to do its bidding and the usefulness of the great 
mind was destroyed. After being an invalid for six years Penn died in 1718. by 
some historians given as .July 30, but we believe the predominance of testimony 
records the date as May 30. (See Penns and Penningtons, pp. 41.3-14.) 

Respects to his Memory.— The noble and self-sacrificing spirit of William 
Penn is more revered at the present time than it was by those with whom he was 
associated. Bancroft says, "Penn never gave council at variance with popular 
rights. England today confesses his sagacity and is doing honor to his memory. 
After more than a century, the laws which he reproved have been repealed and 
although reproached by every form of abuse, the candor of his character always 
triumphed over calumny. His fame is now wide as the world: he is one of tin? 
few who have gained abiding glory," 

The Dutch had brought negro slaves into the colony before the advent of 
Penn and at one time he owned a few, but seeing the evils in slavery he libei-aed 
them all. In his will made 1701 he said: "I give to my blacks their freedom, 'is /s 
Knrier my hand olrend\,\ and to old Sam 100 acres, to be his children's, after he uiul hi. 
wife are dead, forever." (Slavery was abolished in this State in 1780.) 

Notwithstanding his great wealth, on the eve of his first departure fro-i 
England, to his children he wrote, "Betake yourselves to some honest industri )U3 
course of life, not for sordid covetousness, but for example and to avoid idleness. 
Love not money nor the world; use them only and they will serve you, but if you 
love them you serve them, which will <lebase your spirits and offend the Lord. 
Watch against anger, neither speak nor act in it: for, like d'-unkenness, it mikj.i 
a beast of a man and throws its masters into desperate inconveniences." 

Succession of Governors.— Gookin was succeeded by sir Wm. K^ith, M;\v 
1717, who held of^'se for 9 years. He was affable and kind and much liked by t!ie 
people. A diflferencB arose bstween Keith, and Loji,anwho had long been seci- •-- 
tary for the proprietors, and upon Keith removing Logan from office, be in turi 
was displaced by Hannah Penn, executrix of the estate, upon his refusal to reiu- 
state the trusted secretary. 

Patri'k Gordon suc^eded to the governorship, July 1726, continuing for ten 
years. George I died, June 1727 and was succeeded by his son George II to whom 
'ihe Pennsylvania Assembly sent congratulations. Philadelphia was then the 
finest city in all British America and second only in size to New York. Pennsy - 
vania Colony, although practically having been planted but 50 years, excelled in 
population ''/irginia, Maryland, and both Carolinas. The beneficient code of lavvd 
and peace wivh th,.-* Indians were balieved ^o have largely contributed to thissiK- 
cess. In August 1732, Thomas Penn, and two years later John Penn, a native oJ 
this state and eldest surviving son of William Penn arrived in the province and 
were received with honors by the people. John Penn returned to England the 
following year; where he died unmarried. Oct. 1746, leaving his share in the col- 
ony to bis brother Thomas. Governor Gordon died Aug. 1736, lamented by both 
the people and the Proprietors as his judicious administration had prevented 
antagonism. Upon James Logan president of the Council, the executive officj 
devolved, until Gordon's successor, 

Georoe Thomas, arrived Aug. 1738. On the 23, of Oct. 1739, war was formal- 
ly declared between Spain and Great Britain. Gov. Thomas made an effort to or- 
ganize ibe militia of Pennsylvania, but the Quaker aversion to arms prevent- 
ed much success. In 1744 war was declared between France and Great Britain 




VIEW SOUTHEAST FROM CLARK'S COLLEGE 




FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 



[[irrtrK^rftt 





20 ERIE COUNTY HISTOTY. 

and bitteries were planted along the shore of the Delaware. The Governor called 
for volunteers and aided by a pamplet from Benjamin Franklin, demonstrating 
the helpless condition of the Colony, 10,000 men were enlisted. Gov. Thomas re- 
signed i.i May 1747 and Anthony Palmer as president of the Council, held execu- 
tive authority till Nov. 23, following. 

James JLimiUon, was the first American-born governor. Early in his ad- 
ministration the Colonial settlements were threatened on all sides. The treaty of 
peace, which had teen concluded between the governments at London and Paris, 
was scarcely recognized by the French in the New World. To the protests en- 
tered by the British ambassador, promises were made, but orders were not giv- 
en to abate the depradations. Governor Dinwiddle of Virginia on Nov. 14, 1753, 
dispatched Major George Washington, with an escort to Fort LeBoeuf, to demand 
from the French commandant, Legardeau de St. Pierre, an evacuation of English 
territory. To the remonstrances presented by Washington, St. Pierre replied 
tbat he held the fort by order of the Marquis DuQuesne, governor of Canada, to 
whom the controversy was referred. From the interpreter, Washington learned 
that the French claimed all the country watered by the Ohio and its tributaries, 
by reason of LaSalle's discovery in 1669, and in turn the Canadian Governor re- 
monstrated with the Governors of N. Y., Va. and Penn., against encroachment. 
In 1753, forts were built by the French near the present sites of Franklin, 
Waterford and Erie, named respectively Venango, LeBoeuf and Presqu'ile; but 
the English laid claim to all this country on account of previous discoveries and 
settlement along the Atlantic coast. * 

These lands had also been purchased from the Six Nations at Lancaster in 
1744 and confirmed by d/!ed from a council at Logstown, 1753. Both the English 
and French sought to hold friendly relations with the Indians, with but partial 
success. As the Frerrh claimed all the lands west and north of the Ohio and its 
branches, and the Fnglish covered the same claim, but moi-e especially all east 
and south of this an old Delaware Sachem, in reverie over this exclaimed, -'now 
where does the Indian's land lie?" 

French and Indian War.— Although, war had not been actually declared 
against the French, G )v. Dinwiddle believed that further remonstrations were 
useless, from the revelations made by Washington, and solicited the co-operation 
of the o^her c )lonies for an immsdiate expedition against the French. It was the 
first call, for union against a common enemy, and the Legislature of North Caroli- 
na promptly responded with men. Some volunteers from South Carolina and 
New York were also hastened forward. Virginia raised a i-egiment of 600 men, 
with Col. Fry in command and Washington as Lieut. Col., in command of the ad- 
vance corps, started from Alexandria April 2. 1754. 

The Ohio Company had commenced to erect a fort on the present site of Pitts- 
burg, when apar-y of French and Indians expelled them April 18, and completing 
the fort, called it DuQiiesne. Washington's advance guard, met a detachment of 
the French, some 50 miles up tlie Monongahala, May, 28, when the first battle en- 
sued, resulting in the death of nine Virginians and 35 Frenchmen. Col. Fry died 
May 30 and Washington was attacked a few days later by 1,500 French and Indians 
and after holding Fort N cessity, (which had been hastely built.) for ten houfs. he 
capitulated with DeVilliers the French commander, and with his force returned 
to Virginia. 

* See^further information regJirding these French forts, "^Vashingtons trip to 
LeBoeuf, etc, under subscqu^^ul heading "Possession by the French." 



FRENCH AND INDIANS. 21 

Edward Braddock arrived from Britain, Feb. 1755, with two regiments of 
Irish, and was made commander-in-chief of the American force. An expedition was 
planned against Fort DuQuesne, while others were sent against the Canadian 
frontier. June 10, 1755, General Braddock started for DuQuesne, with 1,200 
picked men; but not heeding the advice of liis aide, Washington, he was drawn 
into ambush when within 10 miles of the fort, where an awful battle ensued, in 
which the commander, 63 officers and several hundred men were slain. Wash- 
ington rallied the provincial troops and prevented a route, but che expedition was 
abandoned. The defeat of Braddock, emboldened the French, and enlisting the sav- 
ages, they pushed the English back to the Susquehanna. Ev^en the Shawnese and 
Delaware Indians, formerly clamorous to take up arms for the English, joined the 
victorious French and devastated Western Pennsylvania. 

Robert Hunter Morris had succeeded Hamilton as governor of Pennsvlva- 
nia, in Oct. 1744, and it was under his administration that the above scenes had 
been enacted in Western Pennsylvania although Virginia had been most active in 
the work. In the begining of 1755, it was estimated that there were 3,000 abij 
bodied Pennsylvanians west of the Susquehanna. A year later not a hundred 
were left. They had sought i"efuge farther east, or enlisted in the strife, and now 
to prevent farther encroachemnt by the French and their Indian allies, a chain 
of forts was erected by a force of militia under command of Benj. Franklin. 

William Denny became governor Aug. 1756. A year later Col. Armstrong, led 
a force of 300 volunteers, against the Indian town of Kittanning, destroying the 
village and nearly exterminating its population. 

The Assembly passed a bill levying a tax of £100,000, including the estate of 
of the Proprietors as well as the people, for continuing the war, and Gov. Denny 
promptly vetoed it. Isaac ITorris and Benjamin Franklin were sent to England to 
present the grievances of the people against the Proprietors. Franklin was suc- 
cessfully in his mission to the Crown and was commissioned by Massachusetts, 
Maryland and Georgia to petition for similar rights. 

The campaign of 1757, was under command of the Earl of Loudoun, and was 
uneventful. He was recalled and Gen. Abercrombie, with Amherst, Wolfe and 
Forbes, as lieutenants, succeeded. Through intercession of the Quakers, the sava- 
ges in Pennsylvania had been inclined to peace. Gen. Forbes left Carlisle, in 
July 1758, and marched upon Ft. DuQuesne compelling its evacuation, the French 
fleeing to their settlement on the Upper Mississippi. The fort was garrisoned by 
400 Pennsylvanians and the rest of the army returned to Lancaster. 

James Hamilton became governor a second time, Oct. 1759. Previous to this 
an English force under Gen. Prideaux marched upon Ft. Niagara. The French 
had gathered their available men from the forts in this section for the combat. 
By the bursting of a gun. Gen Pridea\ix, was killed July 19, and Niagara was 
surrendered to Sir Wm. Johnson, his successor, four days later. Fighting contin- 
ued between opposing forces until Sept. 8, 1760, when Montreal and all Canadian 
French posts including Detroit, were surrendered to the British. By the treaty 
of Paris, Feb. 10, 1763, France ceded to Great Britain, all her claims in America, 
east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio river. 

Pontiac's Conspiracy. — The Indians beheld with a spirit of envy, the pros- 
perity of the English, and their cold demeanor, when compared with French 
courtesy. Early in 1763, under Chief Pontiac of the Oi t.iwas, all the tribes along 
the frontier, without previous warning, fell upon the unsuspecting settlei'S and 




VIEW ON WEST NINTH STREET 




VIEW UP STATE STREET FROM CLARK'S COLLEGE 



24 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

murdered them with savage, cruelty. Furts Presqirile, LcBoeuf, Venango and 
those along the Upper Mississippi fell into the hands of the savages, their 
garrisons mostly having been massacreed. Ft. Pitt, erected by the English in 1759, 
upon the burned site of Ft. DuQuesne, and named in honor of Wilnam Pitt, (the 
Earl of Chatham,) had become an important trading post, and this, as also Ft. 
Niagara and Detroit, although besieged for months, held out against the Indians. 
Ft. Pitt was finally relieved by Col. Bouquet, in charge of 300 volunteers from 
Cumberland county. Pontiac's force was finally subdued in 1764, but the wily 
chief escaped to the Illinois country, where he was murdered in 1769, by one of 
his own tribe. 

John Pcnn, a son of Richard Penn, who came to the colony in 1753, superseded 
Hamilton in Nov. 176.3. The Penn administration, was conciliatory towards the In- 
dians at Conestoga, and the white settlers being infuriated by failing to get jus- 
tice against these murderers and marauders, marched upon the Indian village 
and destroyed it. The British Ministry determined to prosecute the campaiga 
of 1764, along the Pennsylvania frontier with vigor. Gov. Penn finally awoke to 
the dangers of treaty with his treacherous foe, and July 7, 1765, declared wa^ 
against the Shawnese and Delaware Indians. Col. Bouquet with Pennsylvania 
troops, marched against them, destroying their villages and by Oct. 3, reached 
the forks of the Muskingum, at Zanesvilie. The movements of the Colonel had 
been so rapid and strategic, that the savages were stricken with terror, and sued 
for peace. They agreed with Sir William Johnson, Indian agent, to give up all 
white prisoners and cease hostilities and several hundred white prisoners were re- 
turned to their homes. 

The Stamp Act, was passed by the British Parliament, Mar. 22, 1765, "for 
granting and applying certain stamp duties and other duties in the British colo- 
nies and plantations in America," taking effect Nov. 1, following. It occasioned 
such bitter protests and overt acts of resistance, that it was repealed in March 
following and June 6, a bill was passed granting indemnities for penalties incurred.. 
This was however the begining of agitation which led to the Rovolution. 

In 1767, an act was passed, imposing duties on tea, glass, paper, and painter's 
colors. The Pennsylvania Assembly instructed its agent in London to present a re- 
monstrance. A circular from Massachusetts was received which gave offence to^ 
the British Ministry, and the Earl of Hillsborough wrote to Gov. Penn, for the' 
Assembly to discountenance these matters and if it did not do so to adjourn its sit- 
tings. This was read to the Assembly and followed by a letter from Virginia x\s- 
sembly recommending a union of the Colonies in opposition to the proposed taxar 
tion. A committee vras appointed to prepare a remonstrance to the King- 
and Parliament. The tax was i-educed to one sixth the original amount, in 1769,, 
and a year later removed altogether, excepting three pence per pound on tea. It. 
was however the principle, rather than the amount, that the colonists wasopposedl 
to, and they continued to urge the entire repeal of the law. 

Disputed Territory. — The broad wording of Connecticut's charter, reissuedl 
by Charles II in 1662, covered the territory between the 41° and 42° of latitude,, 
westward to the Pacific Ocean, and emigrants from that province, under title of 
the Susquehanna Company, settled in the Wyoming valley. These lands were ini 
Penn's grant and by the Proprietors of Pennsylvania were purchased from the In- 
dians in 1768, and the Wyoming territory was divided into tracts which were ap- 
portioned to settlers. The Susquehanna Company basing their claims on the Coa- 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 25 

necticut charter, and u purcluibe [rom the ^Ibany Indians in 1754, erected 
forts and prepared to maintain warfare. Their leader Butler, proposed to settle 
the dispute by personal combat, of 30 picked men on each side, but this barbar- 
ous ofTer was declined. 

Gov. Penn protested against the invasion of territory, to Gov. Trumbull of 
Connecticut; but was met by the assertion of original grant from the Crown and 
the matter having been appealed to London was decided in favor of Connecticut. 
The Assembly of Pennsylvania however formed the county of Northumberland, 
out of the disputed territory, and in 1775, the controversy was appealed to ohe 
Continental Congress, which also decided in Connecticufs favor. The Pennsyl- 
vania Assembly however refused to grant peaceful right to the Susquehanna 
Company and it remained an open question, until Congress in 1802, decided in 
favor of Pennsylvania. Gov. Penn was called to England, by the death of his 
father, and James Hamilton, president of the Council, was again in charge of 
govermei-tal affairs, until the arrival of 

Bichard Fnin. who became Governor, Oct. 17, 1771. He was superseded in 
August 1773. by his brother, the former Governor. The principal agitations, dur- 
ing"the reign of the Penns, were the disputed territory and matters looking 
towards the independence of the Colonies. 

The Tea Embroo-lio.— At a meeting held at Philadelphia, Oct. 18, 1773, to 
oppose the sale of tea and thereby prevent the effect of the duty, resolu- 
tions were passed asserting: "That the disposal of their own property, is the in- 
herent right of free men; that the claim of Pai-liam^nt to tax America, is a claim of 
right, to levy contributions on us at pleasure, and whoever shall directly or indi- 
rectly countenance the attempt to unload, receive, or vend the tea, sent by the 
East India Co., while it remains subject to a duty here, is an enemy to this coun- 
try." Ships designed for Philadelphia and New York, returned upon learning the 
situation; but one partially unloaded at Chai-leston, storing the tea in a damp ^ 
warehouse where it rotted; going thence to Boston harbor, where the Colonists in 
Indian disguise, boarded the vessel and poured 300 chests of tea into the water. 
In consequence of this overt act. the port was closed by the British Ministry, and 
Massachusetts charter was in effect revoked, allowing persons guilty of felony to 
be transported to England for trial. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD. 

We now come practically to the political history of America. England had 
provided no common government in which the Colopies should take part: and, 
while their interests were in many respects identical, in others they were con- 
flicting. As eai'ly as 1043, Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut and New- 
Haven had formed a confederation known as the"United Colonies of New England. " 
This had principally been started for defence against the savages. It had but 
feeble powers of cohesion and became of no effect before a half century had 
expired. 

In 1754, in view of threatened hostilities with the French and Indians, a con- 
vention was held in Albany, at the suggestion of the British Board of Trade, 
when delegates were present from New York, Pennsylvania. Maryland, the four 
New England Colonies and the Six Nations. A plan of confederation, similar to 
the Federal Constitution, was presented by Benjamin Franklin, delegate from this 
State and adopt.-d by the convention July 4. 1754. This was rejected bv the CoIo« 




VIEW NORTHEAST FROM CLARK'S COLLEGE 




view DOWN STATE STREET FROM CtARK'S COLLEGE 



28 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

nial Assemblies, because it was too aristocratic and by the British because it was 
too dcmociatic. No further serious attempt at union had been made, but the Stamp 
Act, and tea disi)ute, disclosed to the Colonists, that tT-eir only chance against 
oppression and tyranny, was to devise some plan for permanent unity. New 
England was chiefly Puritan and held charters from the Crown, Maryland and 
Pennsylvania were proprietary governments, and the high bred Episcopal spirit 
of the South, the Quaker opposition against the Puritanic "spirit of fight," and 
other internal causes, would long have prevented the consummation of union, ex- 
cepting for the oppression of the mother country. 

A convention was called at Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1773, at which all the 
Colonies but Georgia were represented. Separation from England was not sug- 
gested ac this time, but a declaration of rights was issued, based upon the laws of 
nature and protesting against taxation without representation. At a public 
meeting convened June 18, 1774, it was resolved that a Continental Congress 
should be convened and provision was made for the appointment of delegates from 
the several Colonies. A general conference held July 15, declared their alle- 
giance to George III, and desired harmony with England; but resolved that there 
was an absolute necessity for a 

Continental Congress, which was accordingly convened Sept, 4, 1774, and 
from which came the far reaching results of liberty. This Congress adjourned 
sine die but the opening of hostilities by the battle of Lexington April 19. 1775, 
caused the Congress to be reconvened at Philadelphia, May 10. By the force of 
circumstances, this Congress, assumed the powers for mutual resistance, and the 
Colonial Army was called into the fii'ld with George Washington as commander- 
in-chief, commissioned by the United Colonies." Money was issued, a general 
treasury and post office established and the nucleus for a free government was 
started. June 17. came the battle of B.inker Hill and the succeeding 
events, to the close of the Revolutionary War in 1782, are, matters fully 
detailed in other histories and will not be separately taken up in this 
work. A Provincial Convention, was opened at Philadelphia, June 18, 
1776, and on July 15 delegates met, with Franklin, as president of the meeting, for 
framing a temporary Constitution for Pennsylvania. In the maan time, June 7, 
it had bjen declared by the Colonal Congi-ess that the "United Colonies are and 
of right ought to be, free and independent States, and all political connections 
with Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." Jefferson, 
Adams, Franklin, Shurraan and Livingston were appointed to make the formal 
"Declaration of Independence" which was adopted July 4, 1776, and signed by all 
members of that memorable Congress. 

The Penn Estate. — Gov. John Penn, who by the new order of 
things, consequent upon revolution had been deposed from his office, was 
by inheritance from his father Richard Penn, a one third proprietor in the Pro- 
vince. He submitted gracefully to the progress of events and was a quiet specta- 
tor to the changes of revolution, continuing in Bucks county Pa. until his death, 
Feb. 1795, at the age of G7. The Legislature of Pennsylvania, Nov. 27, 1779, dis- 
solved all proprietary rights, and voted £130,000 to be paid to the estate, "in re- 
membrance of the enterprising spirit of the Founder and of the expectations and 
dependence of liis descendants." Parliamjut also granted an annuity of £4,000 
"in consideration of meritorious services of the said William Penn and of the 
losses which his family have sustained." This annuity continued to ba paid to the 



FOUNDING THE REPUBLIC. 29 

leo^al hiers of Penn, until 1881, when it was commuted by the British Government 
for the sum of £67,000. 

Council of Safety. — The Provincial Convention, which assembled July 15, 
1776, on the 24th of that month elected 25 members as a "Council of Safety" to 
have executive control of the Colony, until a new Constitution could 
be adopted. Thomas Wharton Jr. was president of this, from Mar. 5, 1777, to 
May 23, 1778, when he died suddenly of tonsilitis. He was a bold and ardent ad- 
mirer of liberty, risking his life and fortune in the cause. The Executive Coun- 
cil had remained in session, during the winter of 1777-8, co-operating with Con- 
gress, at York, Pa. and Washington in winter quarters at Valley Forge. Legis- 
lation was principally in the interest of the American cause. 

George Bryan by the deceased of Wharton, became president of the Council, 
continuing to December following. Congress upon the withdrawal of the British 
from Philadelphia, returned to the Quaker City, June 24, 1778, and the Pennsyl- 
vania Council convened the following day. Philadelphia had been wantonly be- 
spoiled by the British. They found it a beautiful city of elegant homes, and fine 
shrubbery; leaving it reeking with filth, ruin and desolation. 

Joseph Reed, succeeded to the presidency of the Council, Dec. 1, 1778, continu- 
i^j to Oct. 8, 1781. He was impi-essed with the injustice of slavery, and in a mes- 
sage to the Assembly recommended its gradual abolition, in this Commonwealth, 
closing with the following: "Honored will that State be in the annals of history, 
which shall first abolish this violation of the rights of mankind, and the memoriesi 
of those will bo held in grateful and everlasting remembrance, who shall pass the; 
lav/ to restore and establish the rights of human nature in Pennsylvania." Thisi 
act to abolish slavery, was passed before the close of Reed's administration. At 
the urgent requcot of Waohiugton, Reed was empowered with special charge ofi 
the State militia, and by kind words, with deep interest expressed in the cause-,, 
returned to Gon. Wayne, a portion of his men v/ho had made a revolt and werei 
marching to Philadelphia to demand redress from Congress for unpaid' 
wages, scant supplies and being held beyjud the three years for which they^ 
h_J enlisted. 

Tr^/t.t/ft ilfo3/-e succeeded as president of the Council, Nov. 14, 1781. It is re- 
corded that the prior year, as vice president, his salary was £000, or 1,200 bushels 
of v/heat and that this was paid in Continental Script at the rate of 40 to one mak- 
Il^j £24.000. 

Robert Morkis. — We can hardly omit the mention of Robert Morris in con- 
nection with the history of this State. A leading merchant in Philadelphia, he 
Avas a delegate to the Continental Congress of '76, and in the winter following, 
ujDon a days notice from Washington, sent $50,000 in cash for the payment of 
bounties to soldiers, and throughout the war his financial service to the. govern- 
ment was incalculable. He was made Financial Agent, and in 1781 established the 
"Bank of North America." Morris was subsequently a member of the legislature, 
of the covention that framed the Federal Constitution, and was U. S. Senator. He 
became involved in land speculations, and to the disgrace of Pennsylvania be it 
said, that his last yeard v/oro spent i:i prison for debt. lie died May 8, 1806, age 72. 

John Dickinson succeeded as president of the Council, Nov. 7, 1782, continuing 
tor three yearj, during which period, but little of special note occured. Dickinson 
was a native of Maryland ard possessed of liberal views. He had been a previous 
member of the Pennsylvania Assembly and of the Continental Congress, and was 




VIEW OUT EAST NINTH ST. 




DOWNING BUILDING 



UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. 33 

active in the interests of the Colonies: but was opposed to the adoption of the 
"Declai-ation of Independence''and for this opposition was dropped from the public 
councils of the nation. He however soon afterward enlisted in the army rising 
by meritorious conduct to the rank of brigadier genei-cl. In the Federal Conven- 
tion of 1787, Dickinson was a member from the State of Delaware. 

Bevjamin Franklin. — We now come to an illustrious name. Born in Boston Jan. 
17, 1706, when but 17 he straggled off to Philadelphia. He was deceived by Gov. 
Keith, who sent him to London to purchase a printing outfit, as the Governor's 
letters of credit were useless in that great city. In London, Franklin continued 
for 18 months, the printer's trade, which he had previously commenced in Phila- 
delphia. He returned to the Quaker City and in 1729, purchased the Pennsylva- 
nia Gazette, which became the leading paper of the Province. Franklin's publica- 
tions have been quoted far and wide; but perhaps none more frequently than the 
sayings found in "Poor Richard's Almanac" first printed by him in 1732. He was 
appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia in 1748, and five years later was made Dep- 
uty Postmaster General of the Colonies. At the opening of hostilities, Franklin 
was removed by the British Government, but was first Postmaster General, under 
the Colonial Government, in 1775. Other mentions of his former public acts have 
been made in prior pages. He continued as acting governor of Pennsylvania, for 
three years from Oct. 1785, during which the Commonwealth prospered greatly. 
Franklin died April 17, 1790, after a long ai-d cctive life, greatly revered by all 
who knew him. 

U. S. Constitution. — Articles of Confederation were first introduced by the 
Continental Congress, Nov. 15, 1777, and finally adopted July 7, 1778. These were 
found to have but weak powers, being rather a league of friendship, providing for 
the common defence, security of liberty and the mutual and general welfare of the 
people. These Articles were ratified by all the States, but before ten years had 
passed, their inefficiency had been discovered and it was feared the compact would 
go to pieces. Congress at this juncture issued a call for a Federal Convention, 
which convened May 14, 1787, at Philadelphia, with George Washington as pi*esi- 
ding officer. After four months of successive sessions, with closed doors, the 
present Consitution of the United States of America was completed, all of the 
States excepting Rhode Island having been represented. Congress promptly ap- 
proved of the document and it was submitted to the States for ratification. Be- 
fore the close of 1788, it had been adopted by eleven States and went into effect; 
North Carolina and Rhode Island subsequently ratifying it. 

In writing on political history, Lord Brougham says of this wonderful docu- 
ment: "The formation of a sys' em of government and legislature in which the 
difi'erent subjects shall be, not individuals, but States, and the devising means for 
keeping its integrity as a federacy, while the rights and powers of these States 
are maintained entire, is the very greatest refinment in social policy, to which, 
pny state of circumstances has ever given rise, or to which any age has ever given 
birth." 

As this constitution can be found in every library, we will not take space to 
repeat it here, but it should be read by every student, and, consulted by every 
politician, as it has withstood the changes and encroachments of over 100 years, 
and still remains the basis of our fundamental law. The original document com- 
prised but eight articles, to which ten amendments wei-e added by the Congress 
of 1789; Amendment Xl iu 1793, XII in 18i»3, and XIII, XIV, and XV subsequent 
to the late war, relative to slavery, ttie rights of negroes &c. 



I 



36 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

Thos. Mifflin succeeded Franklin as piesident of the Council, from Nov. 5, 1788, 
until the permanent State Constitution was adopted. Dec. 20, 1790. when he be- 
came the first Governor, proper, of this free State. He had served as a brig^adier 
general, in command of Pennsylvania troops, in the Revolutli>n, having been 
prominent in the work of recruiting in 1777. when Washington's forces had been 
decimated. In the following winter, with Congress and the Assembly driven 
from Philadelphia, a Board of War was established by Congress, as advisory to 
the Commander-in-chief and Mifflin was one of the generals placed on this, with 
Gates as chairman. In 1783, he was elected to Congress and was speaker of the 
House, when Washington delivered up his commission. Mifflin's reply was in the 
following happy strain regarding 

Washington's Resignation; "The United states, in Congress assembled, 
receive with emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn resignation of the 
authoi-ities under which you have led their ti-oops with success through a peril- 
ous and a double war. Called upon by your country to defend its invaded rights 
you accepted the sacred chai-ge, before it had formed alliances, and while it was 
without funds or a Government to support you. You have conducted the great 
military contest, with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of 
the civil power through all disasters and changes. You have, by the love and 
confidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius, 
and transmit their fame to posterity. You have persevered until these United 
States, aided by a magnanimous king and nation, have been enabled, under a just 
Providence, to close the war in freedom, safety and independence; in which happy 
event we sincerely join you in congratulations. Having defended the standard of 
liberty in this new world, having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict and 
to those who feel oppression, you retii-e from the great theatre of action with the 
blessings of your fellow-citizens. But the glory of your virtues will not terminate 
with your military command; it will continue to animate remotest ages. We feel. 
with you our obligations to the army in general, and will particularly charge our- 
selves with the interests of those confidential officers who have attended your 
person to this affecting moment. We join you in commending the interests of 
our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose 
the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them of 
becoming a happy and respectable nation. And for you we address to Him our 
earnest prayers that a life so beloved may be fostered with all his care: that your 
days may be as happy as they have been illustrious; and that He will finally give 
you that i^eward which this world cannot giye." 

The Pennsylvania Constitution, limited the governor's elligibility to three 
terms, of three years; but so well did Gov. Mifflin despense the offlce. that he was 
elected to the Legislature succeeding the expiration of his term as governor. Dae. 
1799, and died Jan. 21, 1800. In the mean time Washington became President of 
the United States Mar. 4, 1789, serving for eight years and dying Dec. 14. 1799, 
two months before attaining the age of 68. 

Thomas McKean, succeeded to the governorship, Dec. 17, 1799, continuing the 
full extent allowed, nine years. McKe? n was born Mar. 19, 1734 in Chester coun- 
ty Pa. and later acquired a residence in Delaware. He had been active in the 
devolopemenc of both Provinces, as the mutual relationship between 



FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM. 37 

Pennsylvania and Delaware was almost inseparable. By reference to 
prior pages it will be seen that both were formerly owned and governed by Penn, 
and that after their legal severance, the political relations between them were 
intimate. Gov. Dickinson represented both Colonies at successive periods, in 
the Continental Congress, and although a citizen of Wilmington Del., in later 
years he was for a time acting as governor of both states. Gov. McKean wa^ 
accorded a common citizenship, holding high offices in both States at the same 
time. In the "Stamp Act Convention," which met in New York 1765, McKean 
was a delagate from Delaware and raised the issue of equality in statehood, re- 
gardless of population, which still governs in the high branch of Congress. He 
intiited in that convention, that each Colony should have one vote, which was 
finally agreed to and the same principle governing to-day, gives to the smallest 
state two Senators; the same as to the largest, while the number of members in 
the House is regulated by proportionate population. The framers of the Consti- 
tution for the Union, believed that upon any other basis, it would have been diffi- 
cult to have obtained the consent of the smaller States and hence this was finally 
agreed upon, thereby partially acknowledging the sovereignty of States. 

When the president of the Colonial Congress, upon a plea of conscientious 
scruples, refused to sign the "Declaration of Independence'' it is related that he 
received a scathing rebuke from McKean and the boldness displayed by him at this 
memorable crisis, procured the warm approval of his constituents and insured his 
rapid rise in public preferment. McKean was at this time a membei- from Delaware 
although having early in 1774, taken up his residence in Philadelphia, he having 
apparently been accorded a common citizenship. 

McKean, in 1777, was appointed Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, which office he 
reluctantly accepted; although having been, not only a member of Congress from 
Delaware at that time but president of the Delaware Assembly as well. He 
served as Chief Justice, for 22 years, with signal ability. He assisted in framing 
the Constitution of the United States and the permanent Constitution 
of Pennsylvania, adopted in 1790. 

The Free Schools. — Gov. McKean was an earnest advocate of educating the 
masses and in his message of Nov. 1800, said: "Considering the diffusion of use- 
ful knowledge among the people to be the best auxiliary to the administration of 
a free government, allow me gentlemen, to lemind you of a constitutional injun- 
tion, "That the Legislature shall, as soon as conveniently may be, provide by 
law for the establishment of schools through the State, in such manner, that the 
poor may be taught gratis." Gov. McKean died June 23, 1817, at the age of 83, 
having during the prime of life, had public offices heaped upon him in profusion, 
and for which he invariably rendex'ed a good account of his stewardship. 

SimonSnyder, governor of Pa., for nine years from Dec. 20, 1808, was of German 
descent, born at Lancaster Nov. 5, 1759. He was chosen a member of the House 
of Representatives in 1797, of which he was Speaker for six years from 1802. His 
period of governorship was an important and exciting one in political history. 
Napoleon I, who had made himself Empei-or of France in 1801, by his brilliant mil- 
itary exploits had upturned and changed the whole political aspect of the Conti- 
nent. By the sword, he seated his brothers on the thi-ones of Spain, Holland, and 
Italy. In violation of the neutrality rights of the U. S. the British had in 1806 
declared the whole European cost from Elbe to Brest in a state of blockade. Na- 
poleon in retaliation, also declaring the entire coast of the British Islands ia 



40 ERIE COlTNTY HISTORY. 

blockade. Americ*D ressels were consequently seized by both French and En- 
g^lish and our foreign ccnr.mercial relations were almost destroyed. Under cover 
of rights to search American vessels, for British deserters, the English had im- 
pressed American seamen and President Jefferson in retaliation had, July 1807, 
oidered all British armed vessels to leave the waters of the U. S. These matters 
continued to be agitated with increase of bittarness and the commencement of the 

War of 1812 was inaug-urated by the British sloop Little Belt, May 16,1811, 
when hostilities were opened by tiring' on the U.S. frigate Presiilent,off the coast of 
Virg'inia. Commodore Rogers, in command of the latter, replied with a broadside 
and the English were defeated with 32 killed and wounded. An extra session of 
Congi'ess was called by President Madison, Nov. 4, following, to discuss the situa- 
tion. Three days later the Indians in the Northwest, supposed to have been 
incited to deeds of violence by the English came to battle with Gen. Wm. H. 
Harrison in Indiana under command of Tecumseh. Large numbers of the In- 
dians were slain, while the whites had 62 killed and 126 wounded. The U. S. at 
that time had but 3.0(0 regular troops and Congress voted to increase the number 
to 35.000. The President was also authorized to call for 50,000 volunteers and a 
large increase in the navy was provided for. War was formally declared with 
Great Britain. June 17, 1812. Gen. Wm. Hull, Governor of Michigan, delivered 
Detroit to the British. Aug. 16, follovving and three days later Capt. Isaac Hull, 
in command of the U. S. frigate Constitution, met with a brilliant victory near 
the Gulf of St. Lawrence; having but 14 killed and wounded, while 114 lay pros- 
trate upon the British Man-of-War Guerriere, which had given him battle; and 
the English ship was totally disabled. About the same time, Capt. Porter of the 
U. S. Essex, met and defeated the British sloop Alert. Further details regarding 
the war, and pertaining directly to this vicinity, will be found in subsequent pages. 

Wi'Uain Finillay became governor Dec. 16, 1817, serving for three years and in 
Mar. 1822, entered U. S. Senate for a six years term. Nothing of particular 
moment occured in State matters during his years as governor, although his ad- 
ministration was generally well received. 

Joseph Hienier succeeded to the governorship, Dec. 19, 1820, serving but one 
term, in which no matter of special significance appears. 

John Andrew Shulze became governor Dec. 16, 1823 and continued two terms. 
His second election was secured by a vote of over 72,000, while his opponent, 
John Sergeant, received about 1,000 votes. The governor at that time had an un- 
warranted appointing power, but Gov. Shulze is said to have called only the 
best men. 

Giorge Wolf, seventh governor of Pa. was inaugurated, Dec. 15, 1829, also ser- 
ving two terms. It was within his second term and through his earnest solicita- 
tion, that the foundation for the excellent system of free schools was laid in 
this State. 

Joaph Eitner accepted the governorship Dec. 15. 1835 and preserved the system 
of free schools, introduced under Gov. Wolf. The bill which had been passed 
with general unanimity in 1834, was so exact and systematic in its details that it 
had left but little chance for difference of circumstances, and in many places had 
brought a feeling of revulsion. The senate abolished the new law, substitu- 
ting the system of 1809 by which, the poor orjy were educated in free schools. In 
the House, t iie eloquent appeals of 



TSADDEITS STEPHENS. 41 

ThaDDENS Stephens, turned the tide. Among other thing's of inapoi-tance 
he said: "Why shall Pennsylvania now repudiate a system, which is calculated 
to elevate her to that rank in the intellectual, which, by the blessings of Provi- 
dence, she holds in the natural world? To be the keystone of the arch, the very 
first among her equals. * * * We are told that this law is unpopular; that the 
people desire its repeal. Has it not always been so with every new improvement 
which has been gradually leading man from the savage, through the civilized, 
up to the highly cultivated state, has required the most strenuous, and often peri- 
lous, exertions of the wise and the good.'' The bill was i-evised in 183B. under di- 
rection of Gov. Ritner, embodying the present excellent system, giving to both 
rich and poor the advantage of a common education. Ritner was the nominee 
of the Anti-Masonic party in 1838 and was defeated. That year was noted for the 
adoption of another State Constitution, which continued in force until the 
present fundamental law of the state was created in 1873. 

David R. Porter, became governor under the new constitution, Jan. 15, 1839, 
continuing for six years which was made the limit of elligibility. For some years 
prior to this, extensive devolopements had been made in canals, the first boat 
from the east having arrived at Pittsburg in 1834, while the Erie Canal was not 
regularly opened until the spring of 1845. In the mean time the agitation for 
railroads had increased and Gov. Porter in his first message alludes to the pro- 
ject for '"the construction of a continous railroad from the city of Pittsburg, 
through or near the capitals of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois to some point on the 
Mississippi River, at or near St. Louis," This was then considered visionary, but 
the writer lived to see continuous connections from the Atlantic to St. Louis. 
Gov. Porter was assiduous in preserving the State credit and one of the last official 
acts was the suppression of riots which occured in Philadelphia in 1844, in which 
he displayed remarkable decission and courage by assuming command of the 
militia in person. 

Francis Rawn Shunk, became governor Jan. 21, 1845, and was re-elected, but 
resigned July 9, 1848, on account of hemorrhages from the lungs, from which he 
died three weeks later. Gov. Shunk was emphatically a self-made man and his 
state papers show him to have studied deeply all questions involving impor- 
tant interests of this Commonwealth. He placed a check upon the licentious dis- 
regard for the sanctity of the marriage relations, which had at that time become 
alarmingly lax in Pennsylvania and threatened serious evils to the purity of do- 
mestic institutions. Gov. Shunk was not favorable to many laws and said. "It is 
not by looking to special legislation for privileges which are denied by others, 
but by a just and manly self-reliance, that men secure their own progress and the 
well-being of the State. His steady advancement, from a poor laboring boy, with 
German parentage, to the exalted position of Governor of this State, is evidence 
of mental worth, and presents a good example of the opportunity which our free 
institutions opens, for those who have exalted ambition, to excel regardless of 
their parentage or position in early life. 

Wia. Freame Johnston was Speaiker ot the Senate, upon the resignation of Gov. 
Shunk, and by virtue of that position became the acting executive officer and was 
elected in October for a three years term. Regarding the tariff agitation of 
that time, Gov. Johnston was found on the side of protection. He says: "The 
price of labor is regulated by its demand, and the value of the article produced. 
Hence, whatever increases profitable labor, is substantially beneficial to thevv^ork- 



44 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

ingf classes, and affords them the means ot comfort, the delights of rational 
enjoyment and the opportunity of bettering their positions. * * * Let it be 
remembered also, that his daily bread, the wants of his family, the education of 
bis children, all depends upon the success of the establishment at which he is em- 
ployed. The manufacturer uses the product of the farmer who is thereby relieved 
of the hazard and expense of conveyance to distant markets. Whatever may be 
said to the contrary, no national antipathy exists between capital and labor. 
They are dependent on, supported by, and receive vitality from each other. The 
manufacturer who, under the fostering care of the government invests his capital 
in profitable industry, opens a new source of increase to the farmer, the artisan 
and the laborer. When on the other hand the manufacturer is compelled to dis- 
continue his business, not only the laborer, the artisan and the agriculturalist, 
but the State is seriously injured, in the general depression of business." 

The State and Colonial official papers had not been published, until by Gov. 
Johnston's recommendation, 28 volumes were compiled by Samuel Hazard, entitled 
Colonial Records and Pennsylvania Archives, which have since proven of invalu- 
able worth for reference by historians. 

William Bigler, became governor Jan. 20, 1852, continuing for only one term. 
Simultaneously with the election of Bigler in this State, his brother John was 
elected governor of the new state of California. The rendition of fugitive slaves, 
under laws of the U. S. and the question of slavery in the territories was at this 
time hotly debated in all the border states between the North and the South, Gov. 
Bigler maintained the prompt return of slaves according to governmental laws 
in force. His administration was characterized by rigid economy and proper use 
of public moneys. He discountenanced the growing evils consequent upon 
"riders" or "log rolling bills," and in his message for 1854 says; "Bills containing 
a variety of subjects of legislation dissimilar in their character and purposes 
cannot receive the sanction of the present executive." 

Gov. Bigler was nominated in 1854 for a second term, but was sick during the 
campaign and was defeated by the Native American party. In Jan. 1855 he was 
elected president of the Philadelphia and Erie R- R. and contributed largely to 
bringing its affairs to a healthy condition. About the same time he was elected 
U. S. Senator, serving for six years. 

After Lincoln's election, when secession became apparent, he united with 
Senator Crittenden, holding that the people of the Southern Siates, should not 
resort to violence until all peaceful means for adjusting their grievances had 
been exhausted. In the Senate Feb. 1861 he said: "As for secession, I am utterly 
against it. I deny the right and I abhor the consequences. It is no remedy, for 
any one of the lamented evils and will aggravate rather than remove them, 
superinducing others of a more distressing and destructive character." 

Jnmes Pollock, who succeeded to the gubernatorial chair Jan. 16, 1855, was as 
strikingly positive in regard to stat>j and national issues then stirring the whole 
republic. He was in Congress when the lirst favorable notice was taken in that 
body, 1848, towards the construction of 

The Pacific Railroad. — In a speech delivered that fall he said: "At the risk 
of being considered insane, I will venture the prediction, that in lessthnn 25 years, 
a railroad will be in operation betwen New York and San Francisco; connecting 
with a line of Steamships from San Francisco to •Ja'^'in and China." On May 10, 
1869, the last spike was driven and the Great Pacific Railway became an accom- 



FINDING OF PETROLEUM. 4') 

plished fact. In his lirst inaugural address, 1855, Gov. Bigler uttered the foUuu'- 
ing regarding the pending issues between the 

North and South. — "Pennsylvania, occupying as she does an important and 
proud position in the sicLoi-hood of States, cannot be indifferent to the policy and 
acts of the national governme.nt. Her voice, always potential for good in other 
days, ought not to be di>^regarded now. Devoted to the Constitution of the 
Union,— as she was the first to sanction, she will be the last to endanger the one 
or violate the other. Regarding with jealous care the rights of her sister States, 
she will ba ever ready to defend her own. To the Constitution in all its integrity 
to the Union in its strength and harmony, to the maintenance in its purity, of the 
faith and honor of our country, Pennsylvania now is and always has been pledged 
— a pledge never violated, and not to be violated, until patriotism ceases to be a 
virtue, and liberty to be known only as a name." 

Gov. Pollock served as Director of the U. S. Mint at Philadelphia during the 
late war and for many subsequent years. 

Wm. F. Packer, succeeded to the administrative chair of the Commonwealth, 
Jan. 19, 185S, continuing for one term. Gov. Packer's decided views on state and 
national polity, at this impending crisis, gives evidence to the intensity of feeling 
then existing. In his annual message Jan. 1859, he said: "The deplorable dis- 
putes in Congress, would have been averted, had the people (of Kansas) been se- 
cured in the unqualified right to vote upon their domestic institutions. Under 
various pretences, this sacred franchise has been virtually withheld from them. 
The theory has been insisted upon, that it will henceforth be the duty of Con- 
gress to protect slavery in the territories, if the people fail to do so. * * * Such a 
doctrine will shake the very pillars of our constitutional fabric. It would compel 
evei-y territory to elevate property in slaves above every other description of 
property or else convert the Congress into a theatre of crimination and confusion, 
filling the whole country with strife. Regarding myself as fully committed to the 
doctrine of popular sovereignty, in its broadest sense, I can never subscribe to the 
theory of Congressional intervention, as understood and supported by its 
opponents." 

Petroleum Oil. — Under Gov. Packer's administration, came to Pennsylvania, 
one of the most astonishing developements of the age in mineral production. Pe- 
troleum had been known for 4,000 years, but in an insignificant way. At Muskin- 
gum, O. in 1819, it was struck while boring for salt, but its commercial value was 
discarded. Ten years later at Burksville, Ky. a flowing oil well was found in 
the salt district and the surface of the Cumberland river, covered for miles with 
the nuisance, which ignited causing great terror to the surrounding inhabitants. 
In the Kanawha country more than 50 years ago, 50 to 100 bbls. of the oil was 
annually collected for medical purposes, and about the same time factories were 
started in France to distil it from the shale rock. By Jan. 1, 1860, 40 coal oil 
factories were in operation in the U. S , principally obtaining the product from 
Scotch boghead coal and in the aggregate producing 200,000 bbls. annually, which 
was now utilized for lighting purposes. 

Oil had been collected with blankets from the surface of Oil creek, back to 
Indian times and Col. G. L. Drake, commenced boring for petroleum near Titus- 
ville, in 1858. He was ridiculed by many of his neighbors, but persevered amid 
difRculties and Aug. 28, 1859 "struck oil" at a depth of 71 feet. His well yielded 
400 gallons per day, the product selling- at 55 cents per gallon. Great excitement 



48 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

ensued and speculatoi-s rushed in from all directions. The stony points on Oil 
creek, many of which had b3en sold for taxes, now became exceedingly valua- 
ble, and farms sold as high as $500,000 to $1,000,000. A forest of derricks was 
erected with surprising rapidity and many fortunes exchanged hands. The Noble 
well, in a little over a year, yielded .500,000 bbls. and the Sherman well nearly as 
much in two years. Prices declined from average of $13.00 per bbl. 18(50 to $1.68 
for '62, but a permanent industry had been started and the increasing demand 
thraughout the world, still keeps up the search for the greasy fluid. The price 
has been very fluctuating having ranged from $20 per bbl. in its early days to as 
low as 50 cents at different times. The Pennsylvania production, steadily in- 
creased until 1882 when it reached the enormous aggregate of nearly thirty-two 
million bbls. since that time the average price has been about $1.00 and average 
output about twenty million bbls?. per year. Pennsylvania has" furnished by far 
the greatest supply, although considerable quantities of petroleum has been 
found in N. Y., Ohio, W. Va., Ky., Cal., and Canada. Oil wells range in depth 
from 200 to 2,500 feet. Natural gas, which is found in great quantities in the oil 
i-egions, was at first considered practically valueless and allowed to go to waste- 
Now it is piped 100 miles or more, supplying a cheap and convenient fuel to towns 
and cities along the line. Paraffine and all other products from the wells are 
utilized in the various industries. 

John Brown's Raid — The name of .Tohn Brown has been immortalized in song 
and "his soul goes marching on" to all posterity. He was born at Torrington, 
Conn., May 9, 1800 and became a zealous opponent of slavery. In 1855, ha emigrat- 
ed to Kansas and at Ossawatomie fought against the pro-slaver-y party. He was 
the moving spirit in the Chatham, Canada, convention. May 1859, where he planned 
to invade Virginia and liberate the slaves. After residing near Harper's Ferry 
for three months, Oct. 16. aided by about twenty conspirators he surprised and 
captured the arsenal and armory at that place which he held until the next day 
when he was wounded and taken prisoner by the State militia. Gov. Wise made 
short work of his trial and he was hanged at Charlestown, W. Va., Dec 2. 1859. 

THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD. 

A Convention at Columbia. S. C. Dec. 20, 1859, declared "that the Union now 
subsisting between South Carolina and the other States, under the name of the 
United States of America, is hereby dissolved;" Gov. Packer in his last annual 
message said: "It is claimed that the Union is mei-ely a compact between the sev- 
eral States now composing it, and that any one of the States, which may feel ag- 
grieved, may, at its pleasure, declare that it will no longer be a party to the com- 
pact. The Constitution of the U. S. is something more than a mere compact, or 
agreement, between the several States. A government, whether created by con- 
! ent or conquest, when clothed with legislative, judicial and executive powers, is 
necessarily in its nature Sovereign: and from this Sovereignty flow 5 its right toeii- 
force its law's and decrees by civil process, and, in an emergency, by its military 
and naval power. The government owes protection to the people, who in turn; 
owe it their allegiance. Organized resistance to it is rebellion, which if successful 
may be purged of crime by revolution. If unsuccessful the participators may be 
executed as traitors. Under the U. S. Constitution, the general Government has 
the power to raise and support armies, to create and maintain a navy, and to pro- 
vide for calling- forth the militia, to execute its laws, suppress insurection and re- 



REBELLION COMMENCED. 49 

pel invasion. The creation of the Federal Government, was the act of the people 
and it i.s entirely immaterial, that the people of the several States acted separate- 
ly, within the territorial limits of each State. They created the Federal Govern- 
ment, to which they surrendered certain powers of sovereignty, and declared the 
powers thus surreuded, to ho supreme, not reserving to the States nor to the peo- 
ple, the right of secession, nullification nor resistance. It is therefore clear that 
there is no Constitutional right of secession, which when attempted to he carried 
out by force is rebellion and should be treated as such, by those whose sworn duty 
it is to maintain the supremacy of the Constitution and laws of the United States." 
Gov. Packer died Sept. 20, 1870, aged 63. 

Andrew G. Curiin familiarly known as the '"War Governor" of Pennsylvania 
was inaugurated, Jan. 15, 1861, having served as Secretary of State, under Gov. 
Pollock, in which place he urged the adoption of the Normal School system, for 
the training of teachers. The Ijegislature of 1856, passed a law embodying the 
material features of his suggestion. Gov. Curtin was called to the chair when the 
gravest questions wei-e to be solved. Separated from the South only by an imag- 
inary line, it was difficult to foretell the momentuous consequences of rebellion and 
Confederacy. His first message contained similar sentiments to those expressed 
by Gov. Pollock and he further said: "Pennsylvania can never acquiesce in such a 
conspiracy nor assent to a doctrine which involves the destruction of the Govern- 
ment. It is the first duty of the national authorities, to stay the progress of anar- 
chy, and enforce the laws. Pennsylvania, with a united people, will give them an 
honest, faithful and active support. The people mean to preserve the integrity of 
the national Union at every hazard." An extra session was called April 30, and 
he said: ''The time is past for temporizing or forbearing with this rebellion, 
the most causeless in history. The North has not invaded nor has she sought to 
invade a single right of the South. On the contrary all political parties and all 
administrations have fully recognized the binding force of every provision, of the 
great compact between the States, and regardless of our views of State policy, our 
people have respected them. The leaders of the rebellion in the cotton States, 
have mistaken the forbearance of the general Government, having insanely looked 
to a united South and divided North for succ^ess. The insurrection must now be 
met by force of arms and a quarter of a million of Pennsylvania's sons, will if need 
be, answer to the call of arms, to wrest us from a reign of anarchy and plunder and 
secure for coming ages the perpetuity of this Government." 

Washington Threatened. — By the revolt in Baltimore, communication 
between Washington and the North had been cut off. Gen. Patterson who held 
command in this State discovering the serious predicament of the National Gov- 
ernment, surrounded on all sides by rebellion, called upon Gov. Curtin for 25,000 
troops in addition to the full quota which had responded to the call to arms April 
15. The governor made the call and in response the loyal sons of this State came 
pouring in from every county. When communication was opened with Wash- 
ington a few days later the Secretary of War, revoked Gov. Curtin's call; as the 
75,000 three months men had already been enlisted, but our loyal governor be- 
lieving that the magnitude of the rebellion had not yet been fathomed, applied to 
the Legislature for authority to form fifteen regiments as the Pennsylvania Reserve 
Corps and the wisdom of this act was fully demonstrated, when a few weeks later 
this same corps of troops was urgently called for by the Secretary, to assist in pro- 
tecting Waahingftou from the assaults of the enemy. 



52 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Prominent note has often been made regardinjj Gov. Curtin's special solici- 
tude for soldiers. He provided every practical agency to lessen their privations, 
and suffering or care for the loved ones left at home. In 18G2 he wras re-elected by 
15,000 majority and after the expiration of his term served several years in 
prominent public positions. 

War on the Border,— Harper's Ferry was over the line, but near enough to 
cause grave feelings of alarm in this state, when the Government arsenal and am- 
munitions of war were taken there May 3, 1861, by the Confederate ''Stonewall" 
Jackson, but after his recall, these again came into the hands of the Union forces. 
Jackson was promoted to Major General, commanding the Shenandoah Valley 
forces, in which his brilliancy as a military leader became especially conspicuous, 
and in June '62, the gravest fears were felt for the safety of the National Capitol. 
In August '62, he met Pops's advanc3 corp^ at Cedar Run near Culpepper C. H. 
and defeated them. Jackson then led the van into Maryland and soon afterward 
captured at Harper's Ferry, 12,000 Union men. with their small arms, artilery 
and wagons. Jackson's march on Harper's F^jrry, had weakened Lee's forces 
near Sharpsburg, and brought on the battle of Antietam, Sjpt. 18. This cam- 
paign of two weeks, cost the Confederate forces 13,533 men, killed and wounded, 
and nearly as many upon the Union side. Jackson continued in brilliant field 
work. The Union General Hooker made a strong feint of crossing the Rappahan- 
nock, below Fredericksburg, Apr. 28, 1863, and was confronted by Jackson, wno 
next night marched towards Chancellorsville with three divisions. Flanking 
Hooper's fortified position, he came suddenly upon the 11th, Federal corps May 2, 
and put them to route. With his staff he went far in advance of his force, and 
returning after nightfall, was mistaken for Federal cavalry and fired upon by his 
own pickets. He was severly wounded and died May 10. 1863. These events led 
towards the invasion of Pennsylvania and the memorable 

Battle of Gettysburg, the only fight of significance upon the soil of a free 
state. No event of the war caused greater consternation nor the massing of more 
forces in a brief period. After Jackson's fall, the two armies took the opposite 
shores of the Rappahannock, where they remained during the month of May. By 
a special blind manoeuvre,Lee succeeded in gaining a weeks time, and June, 9,en-^ 
countered the Union columns at Beverly Ford. Milroy's force at Winchester was 
routed, June 15, by the rebel General Ewell, who crossed the Potomac at Williams.' 
port with his corps. On the 21 and 22 the narrow neck of Maryland was traversed 
and the Keystone State invaded. Longstreet and Hill followed quickly with Con-' 
federate corps. Gen. Hooker now swung the Union forces, crossed the Potomac 
on the 26, reaching Frederick on the 27. Just at this critical moment Gen. Hooker 
relinquished the command of the army: bacause his demands had not been aceeded 
to. and Gen. Geo. G. Meade took his place the next day. Gettysburg was now prac- 
tically surrounded and a 25 mile radius filled by a Confederate horde, commanded 
by Lee, Longstreet, Ewell and Hill on the wes'^ and north, and Early on the east- 
Stuart's cavalry met the Federal horsemen, under Pleasonton, at Hanover, 20 
miles east of Gettysburg on the 30th. On the same day Buford's Union cavalry 
fell upon Pettigrew's, Confederate infantry near Fairfield, 10 miles S- E. of Gettys- 
burg. Heth at the head of L^^e's main column, was marching down the Cham- 
bersburg pike and nearing Gettysburg. On the 31st, Buford swung his forces to 
the N. E. of Gettysburg, and about noon again came in conflict with Pettigrew'g 
brigade. Here he made a determined stand and with 4,000 horsemen held the 



THE ARMIES IN CONFLICT. 53 

ground until 30,000 of the enemy had massed against him thereby making this the 
battle ground for this and the two following days. In the meantime, the 2d, 3d, 
5th, 11th, and 12th Federal army corps, had pushed forward and July opened with 
over 150,000 soldiers, nearly equally divided between the contending armies, 
massed within a radius of 10 miles frc m Gettysburg. Space will not pernoit us to 
give any adequate description of the movement of this stupenduous army, met in 
deadly conflict, nor to depict the horrors, death and carnage of the bloody battle- 
fields made in Pennsylvania, on the first three days of July 1863. Both parties 
looked upon it as a decisive battle and every foot of ground was contended for with 
desperation. The Confederate forces were estimated at 80,000 infantry and 8,000 
cavaly; while the Union forces numbered about 70,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry. 
Lee's losses were 18,000 killed and wounded and about 13.000 taken prisoners, a 
little more than one third of his engaged force. The Union losses were 16,500 
killed and wounded and 6,000 taken prisoners. The gallant fight made by the 
"Round Tops" Sickle's advance on Devil's Den, the bloody fight at Peach Or- 
chard, heroism of the gallant Third corps at Hazel Grove, and prompt reinforce- 
ment by the Fifth under Gen. Crawford, the mighty day at Chancellorsville, and 
indomitableness of Humphrey, are all matters of historic record. The morning of 
the 3d. found a massed Union line on Gulps Hill, and by noon the Confederates 
had withdrawn from the contested ground and appeared to be retreating; but 
after an hour's ominous silence they opened fire with 150 cannons which was shortly 
responded to with 80 guns from the Union line. After this galling fire, Lee 
launched 15,000 of his troops against the centre of the Federal lines, directing 
them to march for the 'Umbrella Clump" of trees, at the Cemetery Ridge. It was 
a mile up an incline, and in face of a destructive artillery fire. The assault failed 
and the Confederates rapidly withdrew. A sharp movement of the Union forces, 
might have prevented a retreat; but both sides had had enough. It may bs called 
a drawn battle, but it was one of the most momentious of the war and will remain 
as an important part of Pennsylvania's history for all time. 

Soldiers Enlisted.— The war records show, that 2,653,062 men were mus- 
tered into service during the strife, (of whom Pennsylvania sent 366,326,) but as 
many of those were reenlistments, it is safe to say that over two million of north- 
ern men took up arms for their country. Of these 60,000 were killed on the 
battlefield, 35,000 mortally wounded, while disease in camps and hospitals slew 
184,000. About 196,000 Union men were captured by the rebels and 41,000 died 
while prisoners, making a total of 320,000 Union men who perished in the defense 
of their country, while half as many more died within a few years from wounds or 
diseases resulting from army exposures. It has not been so easy to secure figures 
from the South, as the Confederate records were mostly lost or destroyed, but it 
is estimated that while so many were not engaged at any ope time, as were on the 
Federal rolls, (the later showing 96:),591 men Mar. 1, 1865,) yet the Confederates 
were held in service longer, and about an equal number succumbed to the inevit- 
able results of war, making a great total both North and South of a million men 
who lost their lives in the Civil War between the states, which was commenced 
by firing on Ft, Sumter Apr. 12, 1861, and was practically closed by the surrender 
of Lee's army of 35,000. to the Union forces, under Gen. U. S. Grant, at Appo- 
mattox, Apr. 9, 1865, although, some scattered fighting continued through the 
south for several subsequent months. Richmond the Confederate Capital, had 
been evacuated on the night of Apr. 2-3, and taken by our troops, but just after 
Lee's surrender, Apr. 14, President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Boothe and 



iHV. 






.i!t> 



56 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

expired on the luorning of Apr. 15. 1865. There are many other general facts of 
the wai- worthy of note; but to Pennsylvania and especially to Erie County, the 
large share of our space must be devoted. 

INDUSTRIAL AND PROGRESSIVE. 

John W. Geary succeeded to the gubernatorial chair. .Tan. 15, 1867, continuing 
two terms. In the heroic fight at Bolivar near Harper's Ferry, on Oct. 16, 1861, 
he had been in command as colonel and was wounded, but he was with the regi- 
ment the following spring, and at the famous battle of Gettysburg, was in active 
command of a division which did some of the most gallant fighting of the day. 
From Gettysburg, Gen. Geary and his force, were sent to Chickamauga, Waubat- 
chie and Lookout Mountain where they again won laurels as heroic fighters. The 
marked public matters for consideration by Gov. Greay's administrations; were a 
vigorious reduction of the public debt, revision of the State Constitution, and 
questions arising from the results of the Civil War, all of which were well 
handled by the Executive. On Feb. 28, 1873, a little more than two weeks from 
the close of his second term, he suddenly expired while, at the breakfast table with 
his family. 

John F. Hartranft was inaugurated governor, Jan. 21, 1873, continuing for two 
terms. He had served in the war in similar positions, and with like credit to 
himself as his predecessor in the governorship. 

A New Constitution was adopted Dec. 18, 1873. The most important 
changes were increasing the number of Senators from 33 to 50, Representatives, 
from 100 to 201, subject to further istcrease with population, biennial instead of 
annual sessions, extending the term of Supreme Court Judges to 21 years and the 
Governor to four years instead of three, making him inelligible to succeed himself. 
One of the most momentious matters occurring within Gov. Hortranffs second 
term was the 

Railroad Riots July 20-5, 1877, at Pittsburgh and elsewhere, in which many 
thousand railroad employees, by concert of action, stopped travel and traffic 
for several days. A large mob assembled at Pittsburg. Serious conflicts occurred 
between the mob and the militia, in which about 50 persons were killed and many 
wounded. A vast amount of property, estimated at $5,000,000, was destroyed. The 
State militia was unable to cope with the mob and the National Government was 
appealed to for service of the regulars, who were promptly ordered to the relief 
of the militia and the riot quelled. Gov. Hartranft was away from the State, at 
the start of this affair and it was believed that his absence prolonged the 
struggle. Allegheny County was finally compelled by the courts, to make pay- 
ments to the railroads, for property destroyed by the mob amounting in the ag- 
gregate to nearly three million dollars. 

Henry Martyn Hoyt, who was colonel of 52d, Regiment Pa. Volunteers became 
governor Jan. '79, holding for four years during which no event of special political 
sinificance occurred in Pennsylvania. At the National capital, however, July 2, 
1881, President James A. Garfield was laid low by the bullet of the assassin crank 
Guiteau and died Sept. 19, following. Gov. Hoyt died in 1892. 

/Robert E. Pattison was elevated to the governor's chair Jan. 1883. The Legisla- 
ture after a few months session adjourned without having passed the Congressional 
re-appointment bill and the governor at once convened an extra session 



JOHNSTOWN CATASTROPHE 57 

to perform that duty. It howeyer, failed to accomplish the purpose and after hav- 
injf baen in session from June 1, to Dec. 5, without coming to an agreement upon 
the bill, adjourned. 

James A. Beaver became gfovernor of this Commonwealth Jan. 1887. He had 
been a colonel, and general by brevet, in the late war and was wounded in the ser- 
vice of his country. The most notable event of the State within Beaver's adminis- 
tration was the great loss of life and property occasioned by the 

Johnstown Flood. — Heavy rains had been falling for several days and a 
dam across the south fork of Conemaugh Creek, which held in resei've a large 
fishing pond, suddenly gave way at 5 p. m., May 31, 1889 precipitating a great vol- 
ume of water into the narrow V-shaped channel below. The resistless rush of this 
flowing tide carried death and destruction in its wake, resulting in a greater losg 
of life, than has ever been recorded at one time in American history, excepting 
from battle. The actual number of lives lost will never be known, as entire fam- 
ilies were swept from existence and remembrance. The lake or pond was former- 
ly a canal feeder, located some 300 feet above Johnstown and less than thi-ee miles 
distant in air line, although it was 18 miles by the way of the ravine. The dam 
was 1,000 feet in length, and 100 feet in heighth at the deepest place, holding a 
body of water 3i miles long by over one mile in width and said to have been the 
largest reservoir in the U. S. The immense plant of the Cambria Iron works, was 
located near Johnstown, and in its several divisions of industry had caused a pop- 
ulation of 20,000 to 25,000 at that place and the suburban villages of Cambria. 
Conemaugh, Woodvale, Mineral Point and South Fork. The entire villages and 
their industries were more than half obliterated by the mad rush of waters. A 
hero named Daniel Periton, in the upper part of the valley, hearing the roar of 
of the v/aters and fathoming its import, rode down the valley with the greatest 
possible speed yelling as he rushed by "The flood flee to the hills" and hundreds of 
lives were doubtless saved by this timely warning. The hero continued in his 
mad ride until overtaken by the wall of waters and wa^s found after the flood with 
his feet still in the stirrups. The survivors were paralyzed by their surround ii'u's 
but,a relief corps was formed at Pittsburg and Jas.B. Scott with several thoi\^and 
men, at once put to woi'k to remove the rubbish and recover the dead. Within two 
weeks about 2,000 bodies had been recovered of which nearly 700 were identified. A 
great bulk of driftwood, containing hundreds of demolished houses, had collected 
above the stone bridge at Johnstown, and after it became impracticable to recover 
the corpses on account of decay, the flood wood was blown to pieces by dynamite 
and burned. A conservative estimate of the loss of life, places the probable num- 
ber, at about 4,000. Gov. Beaver was active in the cause of relief and Gen. Has- 
tings with a corps of men was put in charge of the sanitary work by State author- 
ity. More than a million dollars was donated by the citizens of Pittsburg and 
Harrisburg, and large sums from other cities were promptly forwarded. For 
some time rations were issued to 15,000 people who were homeless; but the indus- 
tries and former prosperity were rapidly re-established, and the casual traveler 
would now scarcely discover any trace of the great catastrophe of five years ago. 

R. E. Pattison became governor a second time. Jan, "91 and July 6, 1892. the 
Homestead riots culminated in a bloody battle between the strikers and Pinker- 
tou men in, which about 20 were killed. 40 wounded, and the Pinkerton's defeat- 
ed. The State Militia was called out, the Erie troops remaining on guard over 
•two mon.lis. 



60 Erie county history. 

Tiie introduction of free school booke in Sept. '93, in accordance with a re- 
cent Legislative act, is a matter believed to be fraught with great importance in 
the education of the poor. Ic was first agitated by T. P. Rynder of Erie, candi- 
date for governor on the labor ticket, in J 890. 

State Summary.— Our space devoted to State history is necessarily brief 
and many important features have been omitted. The area of the State is 42,215 
square miles. The population in 1790, was 434.373: 1800, 602,36.5: '20, 1,047,507; '40, 
1,724,033: "60, 2,906.215: 70. 3,521.951; "80. 4.282,738; '90, 5,258,014. Of the 587,829 
foreign born population, the Bi itis-h Isles furnished .366,865: Germany 168,426 
while the remaining 52. 5.'{8. represented many different countries. The colored 
population of this state is 85.535: Chinese 156; Indians 184. 

There are 67 counties. The principal cities, census 1890. Philadelphia, 1,046,- 
964, Pittsburg 238.617: Allegh >ny, 105,287; Scrant^n, 75.215: Reading, 58,661; Erie, 
40.634; Harrisburg. 39.385; Wilksbarre, 37,718; Lancaster, 32.011; Altoona. 30,337; 
Williamsport, 27,132: Allentown, 25,228; York. 20.793, Chester. 20.226. The State 
has seven Supreme Judges elected for 21 years each, the Chief Justice, Hon. J. 
P. Sterrett, receiving a talary of $8,500 and Associates $8,000 each. The State 
is divided into 43 Judicial districts, in each of which, the people elect a Judge 
for a term of ten years. U. S. courts are held at Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Erie 
and Williamsport. 

Note: — The names of State Governors, will be found in italics in the regular 
succession of events, from provincial to the present time. In the following sum- 
mary the names of democrats are marked with * while the opposing party are left 
unmarked. 

Vote For Governor. — Since the adoption of the State Constitution of 1790, 
the votes for the two leading candidates have been as follows: *Thos. Mifflin 27,- 
725, Arthur St. Clair 2,802: 1793 Mifflin 18,590, F. A. Muhlenberg 10,706: '96 
Miffiin 30,020. Muhlenberg l.Oll: '99 ^Thomas McKean 38,036, James Ross 32,641: 
1802 McKean 47,879, Ross 17,037: "05 McKean 43,(i44, *Simon Snyder 38,433: '08 
Snyder 67,975, Ross 39,575: '11 Snyder 52,319, Wm. Tighlman. 3,609: '14 Snyder 
51,099, Isaac Wayne 29,566: "17 *Wm. Findlay 66,331. Joseph Heister (Federal) 
59,272: '20 Heister 67.905, Findlay 66,300: '23 *J. Andrew Shulze 81,751, Andrew 
Gregg 64,151: '26 Shulze 72.710, John Sergeant 1,175: '29 *Geo. WoU 78,219, 
.loseph Ritner (Anti-Mason) 51,776: ',32 Wolf 91,335, Ritner 88,165: '35 Ritner 94,- 
023, Wolf 65,804, *H. A. Muhlenberg 40 586: '38 *David R. Porter 127,827, Ritner 
122,321: '41 Porter 136,504. John Banks (Whig) 113,473: '44 *F. R. Shunk 160,322, 
Joseph Markle 156,040: '47 Shunk 146,061, James Irom 128,148: '48 Wm, F. 
Johnson (Whig) 168,522, *Morris Longstreth 168,225: '51 *Wm. Bigler 186,489, 
Johnson 178.034: '54 James Pollock (Whig and Knownothine) 203,822, Bigler 166, 
991: '57 *Wm. F. Packer 188,846, David Wilmot 149,139: '60 Andrew G. Curtin 
(Republican) 262,346. *H. D. Foster 230,239: '63 Curtin 269,606, *G. W. Wood- 
ward 254,171: '66 J. W. Geary 307.274. *H. Clymer, 290,097: '69 Geary 290,552 
♦Asa Packer. 286,956: '72 J. F. Hartranft 353,387, *C. R. Buckalew 317,760: '75 
Hartranft 304.175, *C. L. Pershing 292,145: '78 H. M. Hoy t 319,490, 'A. H. Dill 
297,137. S. R. Mason, (Green back) 81,758: '82 *R. E. Pattison, 355,791, James A. 
Beaver 315,589, John Stewart (Ind.) 43,743: '86 Beaver 412,285; *C. F. Black 369,634, 
C. S. Wolfe, ( Ind.) 32,468: '90 Pattison 464,209, G. W. Delamater, 447,655, J. D. 
Gill 16,108. (See supplement for State officers '94) 

Senators from this district have been J1800 *John Hamilton, Washingl^tt 



SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN. 61 

Co., *W;n. McArLhur, Crawford; ■09*Wilson Smith, Erie; '12 *Joseph Shannou, 
same; '16 *Henry Hurst, Crawford; '21*Jac bHarriogton, Mercer; '25 *John Leech 
same; '29 *T. S. Cunniii<vham. same; '37 Jos. M. Sterrett, Erie: '41 J. W. FarreJly, 
Crawfurd; '43 Elijah Babbitt, Erie; '45 J. D. Danlap, Erie; '49 John H. Walkur, 
Erie; '52 James Skinner. Erie: '55 D. A. Finney, Crawford; "61 M. B. Lowry, 
Erie; '70'G B. Delamater, Meadville; '72 Geo. H. Cutler: '75-80 Henry Butterfield; 
'80 James Sill; '84 E. A. Walling: "88-96 D. B. McCreary. 

(tin 1800 the senatorial district comprised t,he whole of N. W. Penn'a; the fol- 
lowing: year it was reduced to Erie, Crawford, Venango, Mercer and Warren; in 
1825 to Erie, Crawford and Mercer; '37 to Erie and Crawford and in '72 to Erie 
county alone.) 

Representatives.- gl800*Samu(jl Ewalt, of Pittsburg-, for the Northwest- 
ern district; '01 *Alexander Buchanan, Crawford county: '01-5 *John Lytle 
Jr., Waterford; '06-7 *WiLson Smith, Waterford; '08-'12 *John Phillips, Venan- 
go tp.; '08 9 *Jame6 Harrington, Mercer; 'lO-'U *Roger Alden, Crawford; '12 *P. 
Farrelly, Crawford; '13-'14 *James Buichfield. Crawford; "IS-'IS *Jaraes Weston, 
LeBoeuf: '15-'16,'18,'20 *Jacob Harrington: '15-'17 *Ralph Marlin, Crawford; ']6-'17 
*Samuel Hays, Venango; 18-'19."2l *James Cochran, Crawford; '18 Joseph Hackney, 
Venango: '19-20 *Wilson Smith, Waterfoi-d, *Wm Connelly Venango; '21 *David 
Brown. Warren, Geo. Moore, Erie Co. (^The district at first comprising all the 
Noith West, was reduced in 1801 to Erie. Crawford, Mercer, Warren and Venanoo 
and since 1821 Erie county has been a separate district.) i' 

1822 *James Weston, LeBoeuf; '23 Thomas H. Sill, Erie; '24 *John Phillips, 
Venargo tp.; '25 7 ^Stephen Woolvertcn, Mill Creek; '28-9 *Geo. Moore; '30-1 
John Riddle,. El ie: "32-5 J. H. Walker, Erie, '36 T. R. Miller, Springfield, Elijah 
Babbitt, Erie; "37 Chas. M. Reed, Erie. David Sawdey, Conneaut; '3s 9 Samuel 
Hutchins. Waterford, Wm, M. Watts, Erie; '40, '42 Stephen Skinner, McKean; 
'40-4 J. D. Dunlap, Erie; '41 S. C. Lee, Greene; '42, '45 Lyman Robinson, Watts- 
burg: "43, '46 D. A. Gould, SpringJiuld: '44 Mark Baldwin, North East; '45 J. B. 
Johnsf.n. Erie; '46 7 Wm. Sanborn Amity; '47 «. "5 ^-6, '60 Gideon J. Ball, Erie; "48 
Theo. Ryman, Girard; '49, '50 James C. Reid Erie; '49 Leffert Hart, Girard; '50-1 
A. W. Blaine, North Eai-t; "51 2 C. W. Kelso, Erie; "52-3 H. A. Hills, Conneaut.; 
* James Thompson, Erie; "55 *.Murray Whalon, Erie; '56-7 W. Warner. Venango; 
"57 David Himrod, Waterford; '58 J. W. Campbell, Washington; '58 *Wil3on Laird, 
P^rie; '59 Jonas Gunnison, Erie: '59 '60 Henry Teller, Girard; "61-2 J. 1'. Vincent, 
Erie: E, W. Twitchell Ediaboro: '63-4 J. R. Cochran, Erie, B. S. Hill Wattsburg: 
'65 6, '69 D. B. McCreary, Erie: "65 6 O. S. Woodward, Waterford; '67-8 G. P. Rea, 
Girard, J. D. Stranahan, LeBoeuf; "69 C. O. Bowman, Corry; '70-1 G. W. Starr, 
Erie; '70 I. N. Miller, Springfield; '71 C. P. Rogers, Erie; ■72,t'74 Wm. W. Brown, 
Corry; '72-3 E. H. Wilcox. Edinboro; '73 Henry Butterfield, Erie. (tUnder the re- 
vised Constitution, the sessions are biennial and all members since 1874 haye been 
elected for 2 years.) 1874 Orlando Logan. Albion; '74-8 *Wm. Heni'y, Erie, S. F. 
Chapin, Wattsburg; "76 C. A. Hitchcock, North East; '76-'80, S. E. Kincaid, 
Wayne: "78 Gustav Jarecki, Erie, *Alfred Short, North East; '78-82 M. H. Silver- 
thorn. Fairvew: '80 4 A. W. Hayes, Wattsburg; '80-6 L B. Brown Corry; '82 Jno. 
W. Walker, Erie, H. A. Traut, Girard: "84 8 E. K. Nason, North East; James R. 
Burns, Erie, Thos. Osbourn Jr., Eik Creek; '86 Warren Chaffee, Wattsburg; '88 J. 
D. Bentley Corry: "88 92 W. B. Flickenger. Erie; '88-92 B. B. Whitley, East Mill- 
creek; '90-4 C. M. Wheeler, L'Boeuf: "92 4 J. Ross Raymond. North East; Henry 
BuUerfleld, Erie, (For elections '94 see supplement.) 



64 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

CONGRKSSMEN.— *Albeit Gallatin of Washington Co., represented the north- 
western district of this State in 1800; *Wm. Hoge same, '01; *John Hoge, same, 
'03; *J. B. C. Lucas, Beaver, '04; 'S irauel Smith, Erie^ '05-12; *Abner i.acock, Bea- 
ver. '12: *Thos. Wilson. Erie, '13 -'1 6; *Robt. Moore. Beaver. '16-'20: *P. Farrelly, 
Crawford, '20 6, (died Feb. '26, while enroute for Washington;) Thos. H. Sill of 
Erie, by special election Mar. 14, '26 chosen to fill the vacancy; *Stephen Barlow, 
Crawford. "26; Thos. H. Sill, '28; John Banks, Mercer, '30; *John Galbraith, '32-6, 
'38; ^Arnold Plumer, '36, '4i3; Chas. M. Reed, Erie, '43; *James Thompson. Erie, 
'44 50; C. B. Curtis, Warren. '50, '72; John Dick, Crawford. '52-8: Elijah Babb'tt, 
Erie.'58 '62; G. W. Scofield, Warren, '62-'72;*A. G. Egbert, Venango. '74; L. F.Wat- 
son. '76, '80: J. H. Osmer Venango, '78; S. M. Braiuerd, Erie, '82: W. L. Sc:)tt. 
Erie,'84-8; W. C. Culbertson, Girard,'88: Matthew Griswold, Erie, "90; J. C Sibley, 
Crawford, '92. 

U. S. Senators from this State have been chosen as follows: Wm. Maclay, 
1789; Robt. Morris, '89; Andrew Gallatin, '93; James Ross, "94: Wm. Bingham. '95: 
J. P Muhlenberg. 1801; Geo. Logan. '01; Samuel Maclay '03; Andi-ew Gregg, '07; 
Michial Lieb, 08: Abner Lacock, '13; Jonathan R )bjrts, '14; Walter Lowrie, "19; 
Wm. Findlay. '21: Wm. Marks, '25: I. D. Barnard, "27: G M. Dallas, '31; Wm. Wil- 
kins, '31; Samuel McKean, "33; James Buchanan, '34; Danl. Sturgeon. "39: Simon 
Cameron. '45, '57, ■67-'77: James Cooper, '49: Richard Brodhead, '51; Wm. Bigler. 
'55: David Wilmot. "61; Edgar Cowan, '61; C. R. Buckalew, '63: John Scott. '69: 
Wm. A.Wallace. '75; J. Don. Cameron, '77-'97; J. I. Mitchell,'81; M. S. Quay, ■87-'94. 

For comparison of causes we give, for 10 years past the popular vote for gov- 
ernor, 1882, R. E. Pattison dem. 355,791; J. A. Beaver rep. 315,589; John Stewart 
ind 43,743; A. C. Pettit pro. 5,196. 1886 Baaver rep. 412,285; Black dem. 369,634; 
Wolf pro. 32.458; Houston greenback 4,835. 1890 R E. Pattison dem. 464,209: G. 
W. Delamater rep. 447,655: Gill pro. 16.108: Rynder labor 224. (See supplement for 
vote 1894 and present State and County officers.) 

Presidential Electors.— The electoral vote of Pennsylvania has been cast 
as follows: 1788 Washington 10, Adams 8, Hancock 2; '92 Washington 15, Adams 
14, Clinton 1: '96 Adams 14, Jefferson 13. Pinckney 2, Burr 1: *1800 Jefferson 8, 
Burr 8, Adams 7, Pii*-kney 7. Up to this time each elector voted for two persons, 
the one receiving the highest number, (if a majority,) to be president and second 
highest vice president. 1804 Jefferson 20; '08, Madison 20; '12, Madison 25: '16, 
Monroe 25; '20. Monroe 24; t'24. Jackson 28; '28, Jackson 28: '32, Jackson 30: ".36, 
VanBuren 30; "40. jHarrison 30; '44, Polk 26; "48. ^Tyler 26: ',52, Pierce 27: '50, 
Buchanan 27; "60, Lincoln 27; '64, ^Lincoln 26; '68. Grant 26; '72, Grant 29; '76, 
||H;iyes 29; '80, **G,irfield 29; '84, ttBlaine .30; '88. Harrison 30: '92, *tHarrison 32 
Note. — By the above it will be seen that Pennsylvania has bean upon the win- 
ning side with few exceptions. *The electoral vote of 1800 was a tie between Jeff- 
erson and Burr 73 each. In Congress the former was chosen president and Burr 
vice, tin 1824 Jackson received 99 electoral votes, J. Q. Adams 84, \V. H. Craw- 
ford 41. Henry Clay 37: there being no majority it was decided in the House of Re- 
presentatives in favor of J. Q. Adams. JWm. H. Harrison died in one month after 
his inauguration and was succeeded by John Tyler, vice president. ^Tyler d ed 
."•"uly 9, 185Uandwas succeeded by Millard Fillmore. ^Lincoln was assassinated 
Viy Booth. Apr. 14. 1865 and succeeded by Andrew Johnson. ||Returns disputed 
.''■id decided by Electoral Commission. **Died Sept. 19, '81, succeeded by C. A, 
Arthur. flGruvei- Cleveland elected and this state was on the vanquished side for 
the first time in 60 years. *tCleveland won Again and Pennsylvania got left. 



NORTH WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 65 

The president receives a salary of $50,000; vice-president, cabinet officers an* 
speakers of the House each $8,000. U. S. Senators and Congressmen, each receive 
$5,000 per year with mileag-e and various other privileges. 

U. S. Officers.— Pennsylvania has always held a fair share of representa- 
tion in the Councils of the nation. Prior to the adoption of the Constitution, 
Thos. Mifflin and Arthur St. Clair, were pi^esidents. pro tempore of the U. S. Senate; 
James Buchanan. Pres. 1857-61; Geo. M. Dallas, V. P., 1845-9; Timothy Picker- 
ing. James Buchanan and J. S. Black served as Secretaries of State; Alb. Gallatin, 

A. J. Dallas, Richard Rush, S. D. Ingraham, W. J. Duane, W. Forward, W. M. 
Meredith as Sees, of Treasury; T. Pickering, J. M. Porter, Wm. Wilkins, Simon 
Cameron, E. M. Stanton, J. Don. Cameron as Sees, of War; Wm. Jones, A. E. 
Borie, Sees, of Navy: T. M. T. McKennan, Sec. of Interior; Benj. Franklin, Tim- 
othy Pickering, James Campbell, John Wanamaker. Postmaster General; Wm. 
Bradford, Richd. Rush,H. D. Gilpin, J. S. Black, E. M. Stanton, Wayne McVeagh, 

B. H. Brewster, Attys. General; James Wilson, Henry Baldwin, R. C. Grier, Wm. 
Strong. Justices of Sureme Court: Jo.seph Casey, Chief Justice Court of Claims. 

The Popular Vote of this State for president 1892: Harrison rep. 516,011; 
Cleveland dem. 452,264; Bidvvell pro. 25,123; Weaver peo. 8,714; socialist 898, total 
1,003,010 votes. 

GEOGRAPHICAL, GEOLOGICAL, ETC. 

This State presents a great diversity of surface and is naturally classified into 
three distinct divisions, of unequal size — viz: (1.) The S. E. corner, adjoining 
the Delaware, being from 20 to 400 feet above tide water, gradually rising to the 
range of Blue Mountains, covering an agricultural area of about one-fifth of the 
State. (2.) Following this comes the chain of the Appalachian System, broad 
valleys, interspersed between the Tuscaroras, AUeghenies and other ranges of 
mountains, through which flow the Susquehannna, Juniata, Schuylkill, Alleghe- 
ny, Monongahela and smaller rivers. This mountainous belt averages nearly 100 
miles in width, extending across the State from N. E. to S. W. and covers about 
two-fitths of its area. The altitude of these mountains varies from 1,500 to 2,800 
feet. (3.) Lastly comes the great N. W. plateaus of the State, naturally slooping 
towards Lake Erie: its waters, excepting a narrow belt in close proximity to the 
lake, flowing to the Ohio river. 

North Western Pennsylvania presents a diversified area of rolling and 
high lands, streams and valleys, being thoroughly watered in all directions and 
in its different counties are found an admirable location for agricultural and graz- 
ing pursuits; portions of Erie County alone, being thoroughly adapted to grapes 
and tender fruits. The entire region is populated by a thrifty and progressive 
people. The great central portion of the State is rich in coal and iron ore, sever- 
al of the N. W. counties produce largely of petroleum and gas, while Erie County 
has no special mineral worth; but numerous light pressure gas wells are found. 
The altitude of Lake Erie's surface is 573 feet, above the level of the sea, the av- 
erage plateau of Erie City, lying about 100 feet, above this beautiful water. Ex- 
tending along and nearly parallel with the lake, are three or four distinct ridges; 
the first a mile or two away, rising 100 feet to 200 feet, than comes a varying line 
at an elevation of 300 to 500 feet and the water shed proper from 7 to 15 miles 
away from Lake Erie, rises from 600 to 1200 feet above its surface. East and south 
of the Lake Ridge, the lands slope towards French Creek and other tributaries of 
the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, 



66 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

The Triangle.— Continuing the northern houndary of Pennsylvania on the 

42° parallel, it terminated at Lake Erie in Springfield tvvp. giviner to this State 
about five miles of lake shore. When New York's western boundary was surveyed 
it was found to be 20 miles east of Presque Isle bay, thus leaving a triangle north 
of Pennsylvania and west of New York. Tliis was variously claimed by N. Y., 
Conn, and Mass., but after protracted negotiations was ceded to the general G jv- 
ernment. Connecticut in its cession, reserved a tract 62 miles in breadth and ex- 
tending 120 miles along the south shore of Lake Erie, west fi'om Pennsylvania, 
which acquired the name of "Western Reserve." The Triangle on its hypote- 
nuse, extends 40 miles in a northeasterly dii'ection against Lake Erie, its eastern 
boundary of 18 miles baing New York, and its southern line about 36 miles on the 
42° parallel. This embraces 202,187 acres and with the unexcelled harbor at Erie 
was considered of great value to Pennsylvania. The north line of the State, sur- 
veyed in 1787, by Andrew Ellicott and N. Y. commissioners, gave the distance 
from the Delawai-e river to Lake Erie as 259 miles and 88 perches. 

Harbor and Peninsula.— Presque Isle bay adjoining the city of Erie, is 
nearly five miles in length and from one to two miles in breadth, compinsing an 
area of seven square miles. The Peninsula which makes this magnificent land 
locked harbor, is very narrow where it first juts out, into the open lake, about 
three miles west of the city limits. The lake line follows a northeasterly course 
^or four miles, curving thence to the east and for the last mile going nearly south, 
to the harbor enti-ance. At its widest place the peninsula is a mile in bi-eadth, 
but there are numerous marshes, bays, and inlets, so that the entire land area is 
but little more than two square miles. A light sand sti-etches along the beach, 
but farther inland is a dense underbrush and in some places timber of considerable 
size. About 1835 a channel was formed across the neck of land at the head of the 
bay and for a time, boats entered from the west end, but it was found that sand 
was being carried through this apperture and lodged in the other parts of the reg- 
ular channel in consequence of which the Government erected a break water and 
closed the breach. 

The eastern point, by its sharp curve, forms just inside the harbor entrance, a 
sub-bay, about 2,000 feet in diameter, in which the crippled boats of Commodore 
Perry's fleet were quartered in the winter of 1813-14; and from the comfortless con- 
dition of the marines and soldiers there, it was named Misery bay, by Lieut. 
Holdup. The average depth of water in the harbor is 18 feet, the channel having 
been dredged to a sufficient depth to accommodate the largest boat?, arid Presque 
Isle bay has sui-face enough to hold the entire fleets of the great lakes. 

Gen. Wm. Irvine who was sent to examine the State lands in this section was 
impressed with the importance of the Triangle to the future wellfare of Pennsyl- 
vania, and recommended its immediate purchase from the U- S. Negotiations 
were made and Apr. 18, 1791 its purchase was authorized by the Legislature. A 
deed, signed by George Washington, President, and Thomas Jefl'erson, Secretary 
of State, was issued to Pennsylvania Mar, 3, 1792; the consideration being 75 c 'nts 
per acre. In the mean time, Jan. 9, 1789, the State authorities procured a release 
from the Indians, in Council at Ft Harmar, (Marietta, O.) for $2,000; signed by 17 
Seneca Sachems; Hichonquash, a chief of the Tuscaroras; Oncheye, chief of the 
Onandagas; Kiatulahoh and Aqueia, Munsey chiefs; ani Soahaes and Otachsaka 
of the Cayugas. This was executed by Richard Butler and John Gibbons, as Com- 
missioners, with Gov. Arthur St. Clair and Gen. Joseph Harmar as witnesses. A 
year or two later some of the Indians who had not participated in the above sale, 



FRENCH SETTLEMENT 67 

expressed themselves as much agrieved, and, to protect the settlers, a second in- 
strument was executed, Feb. 3, 1791, by Coi-nplanter, Halftown and Big-tree, giv- 
ing a full quitclaim for $800. 

Possession By the French. — The natural beauties of Presque Isle bay and 
its nearness to the tributaries of the Ohio, made it astrategic pointof importance, 
and early in 1753, the French planned for its occupancy. An army of perhaps 800 
men, under command of Sieur Morang arrived in July and at once commenced the 
erection of Ft. Presque Isle, on the west side of the mouth of Millcreek. Large 
chestnut logs were hewn and securely pinned together, to the height of 15 feet and 
about 120 feet square. A ga\e was made on both north and south sides and a bloek 
house erected in each corner. The foj-t was completed Aug. 3, and a wagon road 
was cut through to LeBoeuf lake where a second fort was erected in September. 
A detachment of 50 men was sent to the mouth of French creek, (now Franklin,) 
to erect a fort but the Indians protested against this and the soldiers returned to 
Ft. LeBceuf. A month or two later however, Capt. Jean Coeur with a smaller 
force went to negotiate with the Indians for privilege to build a trading post, and 
taking the house of John Frasier, an English subject, they raised tlie French Col- 
ors, in Oct. 1753, where Ft. Venango, was erected the loUowitig spring. Late in 
October 300 soldiers to garrison the forts at Presque Isle and LeBoeuf, were left 
in this section, while a large part of the force was sent back to Canada. A halt 
was made at the movith of Chautauqua creek to complete the fort which had been 
partly built the previous spring, in the event it might be needed, from whence to 
carry supplies, via Chautauqua lake to garrisons on the Allegheny; although 
the portage through Erie County was later accepted as a more feasible route. 
Fifty men were left at a point on the Niagara river, to build bateaux, in which to 
forward supplies to Presque Isle the next spring. Some of the above facts were 
given in evidence, by Stephen Coffin, an Englishman who had been taken to Can- 
ada by the French in 1747; and who accompanied this French expedition, until he 
escaped and made his way to the English settlements in the winter of 1753-4. 

The Ohio Company was in 1749, by George II, granted 600,000 acres of 
land along the Ohio river. This company was composed of English capitalists 
and native Virginians among whom was George Washington and to whom was 
given an important mission in the fall of 1753. After his return, early in 1754, he 
recommended the Ohio Company to erect a fort at the junction of the Allegheny 
and 1he Monongahela rivers, from its importance as a strategic point. While 
en'xagid in this work. Apr. 18, 1754, they were surprised by the French and com- 
pelled to surrend r. The latter rapidly c m;jleted the fort, and named it Du- 
Quesne, in honor of the governor of Canada. 

Washington's Mission to LeBoeuf was accompanied by John Davidson 
Indian interpreter; Jacob Van Braun, who could converse in French; an Indian 
trader. Christopher Gist; and a red skin guide. These set out from Cumberland 
Md. Nov. 14, 1753 and a week later camped at the forks of the Ohio. Here the 
young Major was reinforced by Currin, McQuire, Stewart and Jenkins who acom- 
panied him to the Indian village, at Log&town, which he reached Nov. 24, and at 
once convened a Council of Sachems. Their influence was easily enlisted against 
the French, as they were much exercised regarding the advent of Capt. Celeron 
and a company of French soldiers, who had in 1749 deposited leaden plates at points 
along the Allegheny and the Ohio livers, as far west as the Muskingum, confir- 
miug the discovery ani pDoession of this country by the Fi-ench. Maj. Washing- 



68 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

ton, accompanied Ly Half King- and oilier Indians, left Logtowns Nov. 30, reach- 
ing- Capt. Jean Coeur's squad, at the mouth of French creek, Dec. 4. The French 
(gave the Indians intoxicants and tried to disconcert Washington's plans, but after 
a few days stay he pushed forward to LeBoeuf arriving there Dec. 11, 1753. 
Capt. Riparti who was in command of the French garrison at Ft. 
Presque Isle, was called over to consult with the commandant at Ft. LeBoeuf. 
Washington's treatment though formal, was courteous and he gave in his journal 
a warm compliment to the gentlemanly character of the French officers. The ob- 
ject and result of Washington's mission are given in the following letters: 

October 31, 1753. 
To the Commander-in-chief of the French forces: 

Sir: The lands upon the River Ohio, in the western part of the colony of 
Virginia, are so notoriously known to be the property of the crown of Great Brit- 
ain that it is a matter of equal concern and surprise to me to hear that a body of 
French foices are erecting fortresses and making settlements upon that river 
within His Majesty's dominions. Tlie many and repeated complaints I have re- 
ceived of these acts of hostility lay me under the necessity of sending in the name 
of tlie King, m.y master, the bearer hereof. G.in-ge Washington, Esq., one of the 
Adjutants General of the forcas of this dominion, to complain to you of the en- 
croachment thus made, and of the injuries done to tlie subjects of Great Britain. in 
violation of the law of nations and the treaties subsisting between the two crowns. 
If these facts are true and you think fit to justify your proceedings, I must desire 
you to acquaint me by whose authority and instructions you have lately marched 
from Canaaa with an armed force and invaded the King of Great Britain's territory, 
in the manner complained of: that, according to the purport and resolution of your 
answer. I may act agreeable to the commision 1 am honored with from the King, 
my master. However, sir, in obedience to my instructions, it becomes my duty to 
require your peaceable departure; and that you would forbear prosecuting a pur- 
pose so interruptive of the harmonj^ and good understanding which His Majesty is 
desirous to continue and cultivate with the most Christian King, etc. 

Robert Dinwiddie. 

From the Fort on the River au Bceuf. Dec. 15, 1753. 

Sir: As I have the honor of commanding here as chief, Mr. Washington de- 
li vered to nie the letter which you wrote to the commander of the French troops. 
I should have been glad that you had given him orders,or that he had been inclined 
to proceed to Canada to see our General, to whom it better belongs than to me 
to set forth the evidence and the reality of the rights of the King, my master, to 
the lands situate along the River Ohio, and to contest the pretentions of the King 
of Great Britain thereto. I shall transmit your letter to the Mai-quis Du Quesne. 
His answer will be a law to me. and if he shall order me to communicate it to 
you, sir, you may be assured I shall not fail to dispatch il forthwith to you. As to 
the summons you send me to retire, I do not think myself obli2"ed lo obey it. 
Whatever may be your intentions. I am here by virtue of the order of my General 
and I entreat you, sir, not to doubt one moment but that I am determined to con- 
form myself to them with all the exactness and resolution which can be expected 
from the b:st officer. I do not know that in the progi'ess of this campaign any- 
thing has passed which can be reputed an act of hostility, or that is contrary to 
the treaties which subsist between the two crowns; the continuance whereof in- 
terests and pleases us as much as it does the English. Had you been pleased, sir, 
to descend to particularlize the facts which occasioned your complaint, I should 
have had the honor of answering you in the fullest, and, I am persuaded, the most 
satisfactory manner, etc. Legardeur DE St. Pierre. 

Washington left on the 16th, and from swollen streams I'.nd other sources, «a- 
dui'ed many hardships on his return journey; but fianally brought the message of 
the French safely to Gov. Dinwiddie, Jan. 16, 1754, having been eleven weeks on 
his perilous trip. His sagacity, courage and power of execution, in performing 
this mission prior to the age of 22 years, stamped him as eminently fitted for more 
important duties and he was rapidly promoted, not only to the highest military po- 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 69 

eition In the gift of the Colonies; but after the advent of peace, was president of 
the Constitutional Convention, and by the first electoral college was unanimously- 
chosen as President of the United States, a position which he filled for eight years 
with honor to himself and credit to the Nation. 

French Evacuation. — Immediately upon occupancy of Presque Isle, a col- 
onj of French commenced settlement here, and a village was started along what is 
now Parade street, Erie. A Jesuit mission and school was opened, while consid- 
ei-able quantities of corn and other vegetables were raised here, 1753-8. The tide 
of 1>attle turning in favor of the English, and evacuation of Ft. DuQuesne, Nov. 24, 
17.58, alarmed the colonists of LeBoeuf and Presque Isle and most of them fled to 
Canada during the following winter. The garrisons from the forts were largely 
sent to reinforce Ft. Niagara; which stronghold was delivered to the English, July 
24, 1759. and Aug. 13, following, the principal stores from this vicinity were for- 
warded by bateaux from Presque Isle to Detroit. The garrisons from Venango, Le- 
Boeuf and Presque Isle followed a few days later. These forts were unoccupied for 
a year, when a small force of English were placed in each. 

Presque Isle Taken.— Under "Pontiac's Conspiracy" LeBoeuf fell into the 
hands of hostile Indians, June 18, 1763 and Presque Isle a few days later. Regard- 
ing the latter, the evidence is conflicting. Bancroft's history of the U. S. says the 
fort was surrendered with but little resistance, while Christie, the commandant, 
and a few others were carried captives to the west. Other writers claim that a 
stubborn defence was maintained for two days, within which time the block house 
was several times on fire, and, after complete exhaustion, the little force was com- 
pelled to surrender. Another writer claims that entrance was gained to all these 
forts by Indian strategy and with few exceptions the entire garrisons were massa- 
ci-ed. In support of the latter it is claimed that a soldiers wife at Presque Isle, 
hearing the tumult of the massacre, secreted herself in the spring house near the 
fort, where she remained for several hours. She was then found and carried in 
captivity to Canada, in which province she was interviewed in later years by Capt. 
Daniel Dobbins. 

Gen. Anthony Wayne, was born at Eastown, Pa., Jan. 1, 1745; served as a 
member of the Colonial Legislature. 1774: became a colonel in the Revolutionary 
army, Jan, 3, 1776 and distinguished himself on many a battle-field; prominent 
among which was the storming of Stony Point, July 15, 1779 and the defeat of the 
British in Georgia, May and June, 1782. After the war he retired to his farm, but 
was again sent to the Legislature. Apr. 2, 1792, he was appointed a Major Gener- 
al and sent to fight the hostile Indians of the west; to whom he administered a 
>crashing defeat at "Fallen Timbers," naar Maumee Rapids, Aug. 20, 1794 and 
the next year concluded a treaty with them at Greenville. Late in the fall of '96, 
Oeueral Wayne and escort, took passage from Detroit, in a merchant sloop of 50 
tons burden, then owned by the Government and known as "The Detroit." On the 
passage down the lake he had a severe attack of sickness and requested to be 
brought to the block house at Erie, where he died Dec. 15, 1796, aged 52. By his 
request he was interred at the foot of the flagstaff, planted here a year previ- 
ous by a detatchment of his own men. This was on the site of the present "Block 
House," at the Soldier's and Sailor's Home grounds. Early in 1809, Col. Isaac 
Wayne; the genei-al's son, by request of an invalid sister, came to Erie to secure the 
romairis for interment in the family cemetery. The roads were new and the colo- 
nel made the trip in a sulky, expecting after 13 years to find but fragmentary re- 



70 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

mains. Dr. J. C. Wallace was given charge of the di&iuLerraent and the body was 
found in a remarkable state of preservation. A portion of the bones was however 
secured, boxed and taken to Wayneboro for interment, where a monument was 
erected July 4, 1809, by the Pennsylvania Society of Cincinnati. The balance of 
the remains was reinterred in their first resting place on the garrison grounds. 
A portion of the walnut coffin lid, on which Gen. Wayne's name had been marked 
with brass tacks, still remains above ground, in the Block House, for the inspec- 
tion of the curious. 

Early Settlers. — The hunting grounds of Northwestern Pennsylvania were 
purchased from the Six Nations, by treaty at Ft. Stanwix, Oct. 22, 1784, and from 
the Delawaresand Wyandottes at Ft. Mcintosh Jan. 1785. David Watts and Wm. 
Miles, surveyed portions of Waterford, Wayne and Amity twps. in 1785-6 and 
Wra. Powell and Alex. McDowell, parts of Crawford county the following year. 
The Indians generally had migrated to other places, but some remained and were 
usually inclined to assist the White settlers; by timely warnings of the approach 
of hostile Indians and other kind offices. Among those in this vicinity were Con- 
nedaughta and his sons who held wigwams at the mouth of Conneaut creek — 
nameji for him; Cornplanter and his band on the Allegheny, Stripe Neck and 
others along French creek, and a few of the Massassaugas at the head of Presque 
Isle bay. May 12, 1788, a dozen hardy pioneers, located on the present site of 
Meadvile, and, among those who became permanent residents of Crawford county 
were three Mead brothers, Randolphs and others, from Northumberland county. 
To David Mead and wife, in the fall of 1788, at Meadville came a daughter, Sarah, 
afterwards the wife of Rev. Mr. Sutterfield of Mercer county, the first White 
child born in this section. The Mead settlement was reinforced in 1789, by a half 
dozen additional families; but April 1791, all fled to Franklin for safety, 
and among those who returned, to plant corn at Meadville, in May, Wm. Gregg 
was shot by the Indians, Cornelius Van Home and Thos. Ray taken captives. 
Ray escaped, but Van Home was taken to Detroit, where he was purchased by 
one of the garrison, for two gallons of whiskey and allowed to return to Meadville. 
Depradations continued at intervals until after Gen. Anthony Wayne's campaign, 
in 1793-4. David Mead's large log house at Meadville had served in the mean- 
time as a garrison for soldiers, until a regular block house was built, the latter 
year. Wm. Dick, grandfather of the Meadville bankers, located there in 1794 
and a year later, we find the names of John Brooks, Henry Richard, Jacob Rasor, 
John Davis, Dr. T. R. Kennedy, Roger Alden, Joseph Hackney, Henry Marley, 
Richard Patch and James Hennington. The murder of James Findley and B. Mc- 
Cormick, six miles south of Meadville, June 3, 1795, was the last Indian depreda- 
tion in Crawford county. At the begining of this century Crawford had a popula- 
tion of 2.346. 

DEVELOPEMENT OF ERIE COUNTY. 

The reports of the early surveyors were extremely favorable to this section, 
and acts were passed by the Legislature contemplating the rapid developement of 
the County, immediately after the final purchase of the Triangle from the Indians 
and the general Government. All Northwestern Penn'a was to be surveyed; but 
the prospect of White settlement stirred up the ire of the Indians and encouraged 
to deeds of atrocity by the British it was found that the Commissioners, Irvine and 
Ellicott, who had been authorized to plat towns at Franklin, Warren, Waterford 
and Erie, would need protection. Gen. John Wilkins with a squad of men escor- 



EARLY PIONEER SETTLEMENT 71 

ted Andrew EUicott to LeBceuf in May '94, and was followed in June by Capt. 
Denny with a full company of militia. Gen. Wilkins, wrote from Ft. LeBceuf to 
the Governor, "The Indians contrive to make opposition to the developement at 
Presque Isle. The governor of Upper Canada and Indian agent, have been visit- 
ing all the Indian towns westward, exciting them to oppose the Americans and 
assuring them of support from the King. * * * Advices from the general 
country, state that every industry is being made by the British, to put the Indians 
on us." The general Government was wary of inciting war among the friendly 
tribes, and requested the state authorities to proceed with caution in forcing de- 
velopement. Gen. Chapin was sent as U. S. representative, to a Council of In- 
dians which convened at Buffalo June 18. Here he learnd that force would be 
taken to prevent further surveys and in company with several chiefs came to 
JjeBoeuf to request cessation of the work, until the matter could be adjusted by 
negotiations. Capt. Denny had erected block houses at the forks of French creek 
and posted 6 pound cannon upon them. He had a full company of men, and under 
their protection Ellicott surveyed the town plat of Waterford, in the summer of 
1794. These men had been enlisted for 8 months and others were secured to take 
their places. Lieut. Mehaffey with 25 men escorted Comsrs. Irvine, Ellicott and 
their corps of surveyors from Pittsbui-g, in June '95, to Presque Isle where they 
were to proceed with their work. On arriving there they found 200 of Wayne's 
men who had landed early in the spring, on their return from the victories 
achieved against the Indians of the west. These under command of Capt. Russell 
Bissell had ei'ected two substantial blockhouses on the site of the present Soldiers' 
Home grounds. Mehaffey had been reinforced at LeBceuf by a company of men un- 
der Capt. John Grubb who came on with the surveyors. These troops erected the 
saw mill at the mouth of Mill Creek early in '96, and this gave the name to that 
sti'eam. Capt. Gi-ubb continued in command till 1799 and between that and 1800 
was succeeded by Capts. Hamtramck, Lyman, McCall and a son of Comsr. Irvine. 

First Settlers. — There is always moi-e or less pride on the part of descen- 
dents, to trace their ancestry back to early pioneers, and for several reasons, it is 
difficult to secure exact dates. The historian acting as judge upon these matters, 
is compelled to decide, upon the weight of evidence presented which 
is sometimes misleading and discrepancies are likely to arise. Some tracts were 
taken up by intending settlers in person, while the surveyors were at work 
in 1794 but for all practical purposes the era of civil settlement may be said to have 
not opened until the following year. Below we give as nearly as can be ascer- 
tained, the names of settlers locating in this county prior to 1800. In our seacrh 
for individual township histories, these may be modified or extended somewhat 
and to such pages the reader is referred for further information. 

n!>5. — James Talmadge of Dutches county, N. Y., commenced adiling Capt. 
Loe'? oppn boat from Buffalo to Presque Isle in June and on his first trip bi'ought 
the Kced Family, (see later page,) and Amos Judson. Mr. Talmadge continued in 
Erie altout a year, then locating in *McKean twp., where he resided until his 
death 1855; Robt. King, Thomas Ford, Wm. and Thos. Black settled in LeBoeuf 
twp., a son John R. born to Mrs. Black at the blockhouse, Aug. 29, 1795, is said to 
have been the first White birth in this County. Martin Strong, James Naylor, 
Lieut. Martin and Amos Judson in Waterford twp.; Jonathan Spaulding in 
Conneaut; Wm. Miles in Venango where he soon after platted the town Of 
Wattsburg; Wm. Cook in Concord; John Fagan in Amity; while Joseph Shad- 
duck, Geo. and Henry Hurst, Geo. Lowry, James and Bally Donaldson made 



1-2 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

settlement in North Evst. Henry Hurst moved to Meadville from whence he 
was the first Representative for the five northwestern counties. James Baird, 
Josliua Fairbarlcs and possibly some other civil citizens besides the Reeds and 
Thomas Rees located in Erie in the first year of developement. John W. Russell, 
Geo. Moore and David McNair in iMillcreek; Michael Hare, Ridue and Carl in 
Wayne; James Blair in Girard, 

1796 — Mrs. Margaret Lowry, Henry and Dyer Loomis, North East; John Lytle, 
Robt. Brotherton, John Lenox and Thos. Skinner, Waterford; Adam and James 
Reed, Thos. Smith, Burrell and Zalmon Tracy, Wattsburo-; Alex. Hamilton, 
Wm. Culbertson, Washing'':'On; Samuel Holiday, John Devore, John Mershon, 
Wm. Mclntyre, Patrick Ager, Oliver Cross, Springfield: Thos. Rees moved to 
Harbor Creek; Geo. Reed to Summit; Russell Bissell, David Dewey, Benj. Rus- 
sell, Thos. P. Miller, Capt. John Grubb, Anthony Saltsman and John McFarland, 
Mill Creek; Capt. Daniel Dobbins and Judah Colt, Erie. 

1797.— Greenfield was settled by Elisha and Enoch Marvin, Cyrus Robin- 
son, Charles Allen, Joseph Berry, John and Wm. Wilson, James Moore, Joseph 
Webster, Philo. Barker, Timothy Tuttle, Silas and "\Vm. Smith, Joseph Shattuck, 
John Daggett, John Andrews and Leverett Bissell, Judah Colt moving over from 
Erie; John, Thos. and David Phillips, Phillipsville; Job Reeder, Samuel Galloway, 
Simeon Dunn, Mrs. Jane Campbell with her sons John and James, Mathias Sipps, 
John McWilliams, Phineas McLenathan, Matthew Hamilton, James, John, An- 
drew and Samuel Culbertson, and several others whose names have been lost, to 
Edinboro; Francis Scott, John and Geo. Nicholson, John Kelso, Patrick Vance, 
Alex. Patrick and John Mckee Jeremiah and Wm. Sturgeon, Thos. Porster, Jacob 
Weiss and Wm. Haggerty.FAlRViEV^;Thos. and Oliver Dunn, first in Springfield, 
removed to McKean; John Vincent, Wm. Smith, Aaron Himrod, Waterford; Thos. 
Robinson, Joseph MeC'ord, James McMahon, Wm. Wilson, James Duncan, Francis 
Brawley, Abraham and Ai'nold Custard, Thos. Crawfoi-d and sons, Lemuel Brow, 
Matthew Taylor, Wm. Allison, Henry Burgett, North East; Francis P. Isher- 
wood, James, Robert and Adam Pollock, LeBoeuf: Hugh Wilson. Union; Eli Col- 
ton, Elk Creek; Col. Dunning McNair, Conneaut; Wm. Saltsman, Amasa 
Prindle, Andrew EUicott, Harbor Creek. 

It is recorded that Wm. W. Reed, son of John C. Reed and grandson of j^ol. 
Seth Reed was the first white man born on the'' Triangle;"' Feb. 20, 1797. He 
was for many year a merchant and burgess of Ashtabula, returning to Erie in the 
forties, where he died Sept. 9, 1851. 

1789.— Matthew Gray, Andrew Thompson, Francis B. and Robt. Smith, John 
Wilson, Union; John Dempsey, Pairview; Nicholas Lebargei', Springfield; Geo. 
Ilaybarger, Arniste and John Deitz, Elk Creek; John, James and Matthew Greer, 
North East; Abiather and Elihu Crane, Cranesville; Wm. Smith, David Findlay, 
Wayne; Jacob Shepard, John Welsh, Union; Peter Kline, Washington; Aaron 
Himrod, Waterford; Abraham and Wm. Silverthorn, Girard; John Teel, Wm. 
Wallace and Jonas Duncan, Erie. 

1799.— Lemuel and Russell Stancliff, McKean; Eliakim Cook, Summit; John, 
James and David Boyd, John Tracy, M. Hiinebaugh, John Clemens, the Simpsons, 
and Lattimores, Waterford. Any fui-ther authentic names secured, of those who 
settled here prior to 1800 will appear in twp. history. (Continuation of 1800 on 
later pages.) 

'^Townships when first named are put In small CAPS. 



JUDAH COLT S MEMORANDA 73 

Judah Colt— A few abstracts from the diary of this early pioneer will be of 
general interest: ■*■! was born in Lyme, Conn., July 1, 176L In August, 1795, in 
company with A'lgustus Porter, came to Erie to purchase land. At Presqutj 
Isle found a nuiTi^berof men encamped. United States troops erecting a fort, and 
Commissioners for the State, Gen. William Irvine and Andrew Ellicott, layiiii^' 
out the town of Erie. They had about 100 militia troops in their employ. Thom- 
as Rees was acting as agent for the Pennsylvania Population Company in the 
survey and sale of lands. Portei- and I took two certificates of 400 acres each at 
$1 per acre, payable in five annual installments. We made but a brief stay. 

On the 3d of March, 1796, went to Philadelphia for the purpose of getting the 
lands purchased of Mr. Rees at Erie confirmed. The principal proprietors of the 
Population Company resided there. Offered to buy 30,000 acres at $1 per acre, 
but they declined to sell it in so large a body. Col. Aaron Burr, who was one of 
the proprietors, informed me that they were in need of a more active agent, and 
offered me the position- A contract was entered into by which they agreed to 
pay me $1,500 a year, besides board, trav ?ling expenses, etc. This was raised to 
$2,500 in 1798. Money was advanced with which to procure supplies and hire la- 
boiei's, and in the month of April I started to return to my home in the Genesee 
country New York. In New York City, I laid in provisions, sundry kinds of 
goods and farming utensils, such as were needed in a new country. They were 
shipped under the care of Enoch Marvin, up the river to Albany, across the por- 
tage by wagons to the Mohawk river, up the latter by bateaux then by 
wagon 8.gain to Oswego, and from there by Lake and wagon to Presque 
Isle. Mr. Marvin arrived at the latter place on the 22d, of June 1796, but the 
boats did not reach Presque Isle till the 1st of July. He found a Captain's com- 
mand stationed there in a garrison laid out and built in 1795. His tent or marquee 
was erected near the old French garrison. During the season he met with consid- 
erable opposition from advance settlers, "a company know as Dunning McNair & 
Co., from the neighborhood of Pittsburg." Leaving the agency in charge of 
Elisha and Enoch Marvin, I set out on the 4th of November for Philadelphia, re- 
turning to the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek, May 31 1797. 

June 1, rode out to where Elisha Marvin was stationed, who had charge of the 
men employed by the agency, nine miles south of Lake Erie, known afterwards as 
Colt's Station. Made this my head quarters until the 10th of November. The 
season was one of much business. *The opposition of advance settlers caused me 
much trouble. I had to keep from forty to one hundred men in service to defend 
settlers and property. More than once mobs of twenty to thirty assembled for the 
purpose of doing mischief. Went to Pittsburg with witnesses and had a number 
indicted by the grand jury of Allegheny County. On my return, loaded a boat 
with stores to take to the Sixteen Mile Creek, and put it in charge of four men. 
On their way up the lake, a storm upset the boat ?ind three of the men, were 
drowned. During the season, the building of a vessel of about thirty-five tons was 
commenced at the mouth of Four Mile creek. The Lowry's and others were 



*The law of 1792 provided that actual settlers, who should be driyen from the 
country by the enemies of the United States, and who thereafter persisted in the 
endeaver to make settlement, should be entitled to hold the lauds formerly enter- 
ed, the same as if continuous residence had b ^en made. The Population and Hol- 
land land companies, claimed, that by their several efforts to occupy the lands, in 
1793-5, they had fulfilled the requirements of the law. Early in 1795, the Gover- 
nor claimed that the Indians had been conquered and declared this section opeu 
for eettlement. Conflicting interests thereby occurred as before mentioned. 



74 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

the indicted pai'ties. The disturbances took place in the months of June and 
July, 1797, continuing for several years. [Those who had taken up lands upon 
Stata warrants and were later ejected because they were on the Population Com- 
pany's claims were greatly enraged.] 

Went East in the fall, and set out to return to Erie in April, 1798. At New- 
York, purchased supplies, which were sent forward in charge of B. Saxton and 
Eliphalet Beebe. Arrived at Presqvie Isle the 31st of May, and at Greenfield on 
the 3d of June. Brought my wife for the first time. Resided at Colt's Station 
with my family until the 7th of November. The vessel, begun the year before at 
the mouth of Four Mile Creek, was completed in time to make a trip to Fort 
Erie. It was named the Sloop Washington. On the 10th of October I accom- 
panied about sixty-five of the settlers to Erie to attend an election, all of whom 
voted in favor of a Federal Representative. On the 7th of November, with Mrs. 
Colt, set out for Pittsburgh, on horseback. Our baggage was taken down French 
Creek in boats. Arrived at Pittsburgh the 9th of January, 1799. Shortly after 
our arrival, the weather became very warm, the frost came out of the ground, 
and the farmers began their plowing. Did not return to Erie County until May, 
1801. During a part of 1800 and 1801, the peace of the County was much disturbed 
by the adversaries of the company. In the summer and fall of 1800, the settle- 
ment was visited by a number of clergymen who were sent out by the Ohio and 
Redstone Presbyteries, who preached in a number of places and took much pains 
to establish churches. Among these was Rev. Mr. MeCurdy. 

During the year of 1801, some progress was made in organizing the militia of 
Greenfield. Elisha Marvin was chosen Captain. He had about eighty men in 
his cozupany. During 1802. considerable progress was made in the County, mili- 
tary, civil and religious. In the month of June, 1803, aided by a Deputy Marshal 
of the United States Court, removed sundry intruders against whom ejectments 
had been brought, some of whom were obstinate and gave much trouble. During 
the same month, Mary Marvin arrived in company with her brother Elisha. Sep- 
tember 2-t, purchased of James Wilson four lots, on which was a small house, in 
the town of Erie, for the sum of $-190. On the 26th, set out for Pittsburgh by way 
of the new State road. Returned to Greenfield February 24, 1804. During the 
month of Api'il, 1804, was again in Philadelphia as a witness in the United States 
Court relating to the lands of the Population Company, and in which the 
company was successful. On the 6th of August, 1804, began to improve my Erie 
property, to which I removed my family on the 21st of November. 

The country in 1805 was still far from tranquil. People continued to take un- 
lawful possession of lands claimed under warrants, and were encouraged by others 
for political purposes. The company brought sundry ejectments. During the 
summer we were called upon by a nuT^iber of clergymen. In the month of Decem- 
ber, James and Ezekiel Graham, who had unlawfully settled on the tract of the 
Population Company, purchased 100 acres at $3 per acre, payable in instal- 
ments. November 20, 1806 — News came from a decision in the land case in United 
States Court at Philadelphia. Robt. Penn, plaintiff; Adam Arbuckle, defendant. 
July 1, 1807 — The obstinacy of adverse settlers renders my employment in some 
respocts unpleasant. The Erie & Waterford Turnpike is in process of 
building." 

Mr. Colt made frequent trip3 to Philadelphia, New York and Pittsburgh on 
the business of the company, being absent from his f'-'raily much of the time. On 
one occasion he was gone filie^n months. He died in 1332, leaving- a large estate. 



EARLY LAND MATTERS 75 

The Pennsylvania Population Co, was chartered Mar. 8, 1793, for the 

promotion of settlement upon Lake Erie and along- French craek. To the first 20 
families at each place a present of 150 acres of land was to be made and to the 
next succeeding- 40, families at each place. 100 acres each. Thomas Rees, a sur- 
veyor came on from Northumberland in 1794. with 390 warrants to be located on 
the Triangle. Several settlers were killed by the Indians alongr French creek 
that yeai- and Mr. Rees and his assistants completed their surveys as hastily as 
possible and took refuge at Franklin. Early the ne.xt year he came as agent of 
the company, to article lands to settlers, and protected by the soldiers at the fort, 
he established a real estate office in a tent near the mouth of Mill creek, from 
which he sold in 1795, about 75,000 acres of land to 200 purchasers. Many of these 
however did not settle in the County until later years. Judah Colt who came in 
August '95, and purchased 400 acres of land, became the agent of the company at 
$1,500 per year and June 22, '96 entered upon his duties here. A year later he 
moved to Greenfield twp. 

The First Fourth celebrated in this County was held at Colt's Station in the 
centre of Greenfield. Mr. Colt left the following record: "Tuesday being the 
22d anniversary of the Independence of America, at the expense of the Pennsyl- 
vania Population Co. we gave an entei-tainment to about 75 people, settlers of the 
said company. A bower was erected under two large maple trees, and when the 
hearts of the people were cheered with good fare, sundry toasts were drank suit- 
able to the occasion. After I had withdrawn, one James Crawford offered the fol- 
lowing: 'May Judah Colt, agent of the Population Co. drive the intrduers before 
him, as Samson did the Phillistines! Three cheers!' and the woods rang with a 
roar of laughter." 

Other Land Matters.— During the dark days of the Revolution; Robert 
Morris as Financial Agent for the Government, secured extensive loans from 
German capitalists and these creditors formed the Holland Land Company, which 
accepted warrants for vast tracts of land in New York and Pennsylvania in pay- 
ment of obligations due. Several of these warrants were entered upon lands of 
Northwestern I'enn'a, and Maj. Alden with headquarters at Meadville was first 
sales-agent. He was succeeded by Wm. Miles of Union, and Miles in 1815, by 
Harm Jan Huidekoper, one of the twelve original members of the company, who 
made a permanent residence at Meadville. 

Harrisburg & Presque Isle Land Co. was organized, Aug. 13, 1796, for 
the purchase of lots in Erie and lands in this vicinity. Fairview was platted by 
Thos. Forster, a member of the company, in 1797 and considerable lands were 
taken up in Erie County. 

Donation Lands were surveyed by David Watts, Wm. Miles and others in 
1785. in accordance with a legislative act passed five years previous, granting "to 
the officers and privates belong to this State, in the Federal army, of certain do- 
nations and quantities of land according to their several ranks," ranging from 
200 to 500 acres each. These warrants were lai-gely sold to speculators. 

The Mora .'IANS, in recognition of their services, in keeping peace along 
the frontiers were granted 5,000 acres to be located in two tracts. One on "t le 
River Connought near the northwestern part of the State" and the other "on the 
heads of French o-eek." Wm. Miles was also agent, for lea.-:ing these lands, as no 
title in fee was given, until 1850,when they were purchased euLire by N.Blickens- 
derfer and James Miles. 



•77 

^^ ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

quartered upon the Garrison grounds, now occupied by the Soldiers Home. Col. 
Reed at once erected a one story log cabin, near the mouth of M ill Creek, which 
was called the Presque Isle Hotel, where to the best of his ability, accommoda- 
tions were accorded to strangers. Rufus S. and George Reed, sons of the Colonel, 
came later, via Pittsburg, accompanied by Mrs. Thos. Rees, and Mrs. J. Fair- 
banks. In 1796, a more commodious inn was erected by the Reeds. This was put 
in charge of Rufus S. Reed, while the Colonel removed to a farm at Walnut creek 
where he died Mar. 19, 1797, aged 53. Hannah, his wife died Djc. 8, 1821, aged 
74. Charles J. Reed, occupied the, f m after his father's death, having been 
married December followiu^ to Rai d Miller, at Erie, by Thos. Rees, J. P.— the 
first wedding in this County. He died in 1830," and his widow in 1851. Geo. W. 
Reed located in Summit twp., 1797, later moving to Waterford, whei-e in 1810 he 
commenced keeping tavern and in 1826 opening the hotel business in Erie. He 
returned to Waterford in 1844 and died there 3 years later. Rufus S. Reed con- 
tinued at this place until his death and was one of the prime movers in the prin- 
cipal developments here. He started a store and fur trade in 1796, and soon had 
boats running regularly on the lakes, carrying supplies to the west and returning 
with furs. He secured Government contracts, for supplies to western posts, and, • 
in the War of 1812 made large profits, later accepting Giles Sanford as a partner 
in mercantile trade. Mr. Reed erected a grist mill and distilleries, kept numer- 
ous cattle and became one of the most extensive owners of vessels on the lake. 
He married in 1798, Dolly Oaks of Palmyra, N. Y. who died the same year. In 
1801, he married Agnes, daughter of Gen. Wm. Irvine, who was the mother of the 
well known Gen. Chas. M. Reed. Rufus S. Reed, died June, 1846, aged 70, leav- 
ing one of the largest fortunes, then known in the lake shore region. The only- 
son, Charles M. inherited his father's business sagacity and fortune. He was 
born in Erie 1803, attended college at Washington, Pa., was admitted to the bar 
at Philadelphia in 1821, and returning to Erie engaged in business with his father. 
He was early in the steamboat trade, building the finest boats on the lake, in his 
day. Canals and railroads were also among his developements. He became a 
Brigadier General of militia, served a year in the State Legislature and a term in 
Congress. Gen, Reed died in the mansion, corner of Sixth and Peach streets, 
Dec. 18, 1871, leaving a fortune above six millions of dollars. He was married in 
1836, to Harriet Gilson, of Watertown, N. Y. who is still surviving. They had 
two sons, both still living in Erie, the present Hon. Chas. M. Reed and Lloyd G. 
Reed. A daughter Hattie, was married to Hon. Henry Rawle, and died in 1869. 

Streanns Etc. — Erie Co. has no rivers and few large creeks. It is however 
the only county of this State, touching Lake Erie and from the water shed or main 
ridge which is some ten miles away from the lake, numerous small streams arise 
and every section is well watered. The streams on the north side of the ridge 
flow into Lake Erie and thence to the Atlantic through the St. Lawrence, while 
those on the south side are tributaries to the Allegheny and find their way to 
the Gulf of Mexico. Among the most important of these are the head waters of 
French creek, Brokenstraw, Oil and Spring creeks. On the lake side the princi- 
pal streams are Conneaut, Crooked, Elk, Trout, Walnut, Mill, Four, Six, Twelve, 
Sixteen and Twenty Mile creeks. The last five are named in accordance with 
their distance from Erie. Some of the smaller streams are mentioned in town- 
ship history. 

The early settlements were usually located "upon a stream of sufficient size to 
run a mill." The most striking feature of the lake shore streams is the deep 



ERIE AND WATERFORD PLATTED ^^ 

The earlv settlers in this section secured their lands from the State direct 
or from one of the ab ive companies, and as patents often overlapcd each othev, 
or were ambiguous in their wording, frequent cause for litigation arose- Like- 
wise many who took up lands left it in a short time, thei-eby forfeiting their 
rights. These claims were "jumped" by others, and bad feelings were often 
aroused among the pioneers. The early settlers were largely from Eastern Penn- 
sylvania, New York and the New England States, bringing a great diversity in 
blood and antecedents. The descendants from these early pioneers have largely 
remained in this section and are extremelj -c" developed both physically and 
mentally, so that it may be truthfully said thai you seldom find a hardier more in- 
tellectual or, more thrifty people, than those who inhabit Northwestern 
Pennsylvania. 

Erie Surveyed. — The Legislature passed an act Apr. 8, 1793, to lay out a 
town at Presque Isle and Feb- 1794, an act was passed to protect the settlers and 
surveyors in this vicinity by a garrison of soldiers. Wayne's decisive victory in 
the following season, with the final treaty of peace at Greenville, Aug. 3, 1795, 
ended all present danger of Indian hostility. As late however as May, 1795, 
Ralph Rutledge and his son were murdered by Indians, at a place near State and 
Fifteenth streets, Erie. The act of 1793, was displaced by one adopted Apr. 18, 
1795, which also included provisions for towns at Waterford, Warren and Frank- 
lin. The Governor was authorized to appoint commissioners to survey 1,600 
acres of land for town lots and 3,400 acres adjoining thereto for outlots at or near 
Presque Isle on Lake Erie, * * * with streets not more than 100, nor less than 
60 feet wide and such lanes, alleys and reservations for public use as the said com- 
missioners shall direct; but no town lot shall contain more than one-third of an 
acre, no outlet more than five acres, nor shall the i-eservation for public use, ex- 
ceed 20 acres, in the whole; and the town hereby directed to be laid out, shall 
be called 'Erie' and all the streets, lanes and alleys therof, and of the adjoining 
outlots, shall be and forever remain common highways." 

The commissioners were authorized to sell to the highest bidder one-third of 
these lots, the purchasers to erect on each lot secured, a house 16 feet square, with 
stone or brick chimney before the sale was made valid. Reservations of 60 acres, 
(garrison grounds,) 30 acres on the peninsula adjoining,and another 100 on the pen- 
insula for use of the U. S. in erecting forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, etc. 
were made. An act passed Feb. 19, 1800, repealed the part of the former act making 
building obligatory, and allowed former purchasers to recover their forfeited 
property. 

The streets were made 20 rods apart, from the lake southward and 40 rods 
distant from eastward to westward; the original survey extending from East 
Avenue, three miles along the bay front, back to Twelfth street, for small lots, and 
above Twelfth the five acre lots, which have since been divided into the 
smaller size. 

The Reed Family.— Col. Seth Reed who commanded a regiment at the 
battle of Bunker Hill, was formerly a physician at Uxbridge Mass., removing to 
Ontario, Co. N. Y., where he conducted a prosperous business, until his removal to 
Erie in 1795. Col. Reed arranged at Buffalo, with James Talmadge, to bring him- 
self and wife, sons Charles, John and Manning together with a small amount of 
household elTects to Presque Isle. They reached Erie July 1, 1795, finding Thos. 
Rees, Capt. John Grubb, a company of State militia, and some friendly Indians, 



78 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

gulches or channels, which they have made in crossing the ridges. These ravines 
are especially picturesque along all the larger streams flowing into the lake. A 
peculiar feature deserving of note, is the fact that those eastward of Presque Isle 
bay, flow directly to the lake in a northwesterly course; while those west of the 
bay entrance run in a westerly directiv^r., until nearing the lake when they curve 
sharply to the north. This is particularly noticeable with Mill creek, which rises 
in Greene tp., and empties into the bay; Walnut creek also rises in Greene, and 
terminates at Manchester; Elk creek rises in Waterford tp. entering the lake near 
Miles Grove. This peculiarity is due to the successive ridges, making distinct in- 
tervening valleys, in which the water has been confined at some geological time, 
until it burst through its barrier, creating the deep gulches near the mouth of 
these streams. The streams of the northern division, with a direct flow are rapid 
and abound in waterfalls; while those south of the ridge have a gentle current 
and ace usually bordered by broad meadows. French creek, was in the early his- 
tory of the County navigable for rafts and flat boats, up to LeBoeuf lake at Water- 
ford and was much utilized for transportation of freight, prior to the advent of 
turnpikes and railroads. The clearing of a large area of the County and absorp- 
tion by the soil, has had effect to make the streams generally smaller, with floods 
from rapidly melting snow in the winter and spring time. 

French Creek, trom its size and historic connection, deserves a separate 
mention. In the Indian tongue it was known as Toranadakin, but by the French 
was called River Aux Boeufs: later being known by them as Venango river. The 
east branch of this stream, heads near Corry, and the north branch at Findley's 
lake, Chautauqua county, N. Y.; another division arising near Sherman in the same 
county and these uniting near Wattsburg. The north and east branches unite 
below Union City, and the LeBoeuf branch, also quite an important stream, joins 
the main creek three or four miles south of Waterford. In former years the 
north branch was navigable for rafts etc., as far north as the New York line. 
Watering the eastern half of the county it passes from LeBoeuf tp. across the 
whole breadth of Crawford, from north to south, and across Venango county until 
it unites with the Allegheny at Franklin. From the head waters to Franklin, by 
the meanderings of the stream, is about 125 miles. After leaving this County it 
may properly be called Venango river. 

Pre-Historic Remains. — Ancient skeletons, have been unearthed at sever- 
al places within this County, that can hardly be accounted for as belonging to any 
of the known Indian tribes. While excavating for the spixr of the E. &. P. R. R. 
near the old rolling mill west of Erie, some thirty years ago, the workmen ex- 
humed a large number of skeletons which had been promiscuously thrown together. 
The foreheads were less than two inches in width, giving the appearance of artifi- 
cial pressure in infancy. No traces of garments, weapons or ornaments accompan- 
ied these gi'im reminders of ancient humanity. None of these specimens were pre- 
served. Another deposit of bones was found in putting in P. & E. side tracks on 
the Warfel farm, among which was a skeleton, that must have stood above eight 
feet when alive. Another of similar dimensions was dug up in Conneaut,from which 
township numbers of specimens have been secixred. An ancient graveyard was 
discovered in 1820, on the lands formerly owned by Drs. Carter and Dickinson, of 
Erie. These were all unusually large skeletons. Between Corry and Elgin is a 
large circular mound, covering about three acres, which gives unmistakable evi- 
dence of artificial make, and there are numerous other earthworks in the County 
made by "Mound Builders," When the pioneex'S came here, upon some of 



PIONEER DEVELOPMENT 79 

these mounds immense trees were found, the rings indicating 400 lo 5(0 
or more years of growth. In fact these mounds and circles were formerly 
quite distinct in nearly every township of this county. Portions of a maf-lodon 
skeleton from an animal, believed by investigators to have been 15 feet long and 
more than twelve feet high, were discovered near Girard in May, '80. One of the 
teeth weighed 3i pounds. There have been many other remarkable evidences of 
pre-histoi*ic times, found in this County. Prior to the advent of the early pion- 
eers, there had been Indian villages at LeBceuf lake, Massassauga point, on Elk 
creek and at various other points in the County. Extensive openings where corn 
and fruits had been raised, were found near these places. 

"Cornplanter," a celebrated Indian chief of this section, born about 1732, 
was the son of John Abeel, a fur trader of the Mohawk valley from an Indian 
mother. His Indian name was Garianwachia. He was with the Indians at Brad- 
dock's defeat, and subsequent battles with the French, but after the Revolution, 
realizing the strength of the Union, he became a fast friend of the Americans and 
was prominent in several treaties. He was supplanted by Red Jacket. For his 
good offices, to this State, Pennsylvania granted him a large reservation above 
Warren on the Allegheny, where he died Feb. 18, 1836. By an act of the Legis- 
lature, passed 1866, a monument was erected the following year at a cost of $500 
over his grave at Jennesedaga, Warren Co., Pa. 

The Pioneers here were mostly people of moderate means and content to 
live in plain style. Corn and potatoes, fish and game, were the principal food, 
while flour and other luxuries were very high and often impossible to procure. 
The picner buildings, were low cabins of unhewn logs, chinked and daubed with 
mud. These subsequently gave place to hewn timber, of larger proportions, while 
framed and brick houses came later. Saw and grist mills were among the early 
manufactories, and the old whiskey still was quite common. In fact the "Whis- 
key Insurrection" in the nineties, was occasioned by "Moonshiners" and the illicit 
use of the still in western Pennsylvania. 

Roads Etc. — The only road in Erie Co. for 40 years from 1753 was the Le- 
Bceuf and Presque Isle portage. This was cut and grubbed 30 feet wide and cor- 
duroyed in all the swampy places with logs, making a solid but very uneven sur- 
face. When the pioneers came, it was easily traceable, but much grown to trees. 
The Susquehanna and Waterford Turnpike was located by Andrew EUicott, under 
State direction, in 1796, via Meadville and Franklin. Its purpose was to give 
a continuous road from Erie to Philadelphia. Among the earliest pioneer roads, 
one was made by the Population Co. in 1797, from North East to Colt's Station and 
thence extending to Wattsburg in '98. Roads from Waterford to Edinboro and 
Cranesville were cut through in 1802, and from Waterford to North East via Phil- 
lipsville in 1804. 

The Buffalo and Erie stage route, following the ridge about two miles 
from the lake, was opened in 1805, passing a mile south of Erie, on what is now 
Eighteenth street, and making the main street of Northville, North East, Moor- 
head ville. Harbor Creek, and Wesleyville. Continuing westward,it is known as the 
Ridge road, passing through Swanville, Fairview, Girard, East and West Sprmg- 
field and thence through Ohio to Cleveland. The Lake road made a year later, 
along the brink of the lake bluff, is usually about 60 feet aboye the water. 

The Erie and Waterford Turnpike was built as a toll road, 1806-9. con- 
tinuing till 1845 when it was relinquished to the County. The pike was cut andi 



80 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

grubbed 100 feet wide. A toll gate was kept near the old Densmoro Mills site, 
auother on the summit of tlio Main Ridge and a third near Waterford. This was 
a regukir incorporated company and the first offlcjrs were Thos. J'orater, Pres.; 
Judah Colt, 'I'reas,; Henry Baldwin, John Vincent, Ralpti Marlin, J. E'. Herron,'J. 
C. Wallace, Vy'm. Miles, Jas. Brotherton, and Joseph Hackney, Manaj^ers.. To ac- 
commodata some of the stockholders this road was run to Walnut creek,, west of 
south from Erie and thence over the hills nearly in a direct southeastern course- 
to Waterford. % The French portage road was cut through on almost an air line- 
from Parade street Erie to Waterford, and was about a mile shoruef chan the 
Turnpike, but the later was kept in good repair in its early daysj jyasl' va^ very/ 
much used for hauling salt from Erie to the head waters of Prencii creek; fromi 
whence it was taken on flatboats down the Allegheny and Ohio. Products from' 
below were brought up the streams on bateaux or keel-boats to Waterford thence 
overland to Erie, which was then one of the most important ports on the lakes. 
After a few years the road was seldom kept in the best of repair, madiirom heavy 
teaming, was sometimes in the wet season, almost impassable. 

The Shunpike. — In the winter of 1827-8 the Erie aud Waterford! 5)tage Co.,, 
on account of the bad condition in which the turnpike was allowedl TbO)'^p„ refused' 
to pay the exorbitant tolls, and cut out a new road which wasj inDivra' as the 
"Shunpike." A portion of this was over the old French road' an-dL itljtoa eauiUa' is very/ 
direct. Some of this road is still in use as a township highjKyjj,^ 

Plank Roads. — About the middle of this century, (iSjnai'd'erabl'O' enthusiam 
was manifested regarding plank roads and companies that could secure the proper 
franchise were supposed to have a bonanza; but sufficient account had not been 
taken of the rapid decay of plank, when one side is constantly exposed to mois- 
ture, and the expense of repair was found to overcome the pronts,, so that most of 
these were abandoned within 20 years. 

Erie and Waterford Plank I'oad was constructed 1850-3, orer a very even 
grade, and is somewhat more circuitous than the old turnpike. The franchise 
was given up in 1868, but the road bed is still very much used. The Erie and 
Edinboro Flank was completed a year later and the Wattsburg Plank in 1853. 
These all had substantially the same history and were abandoned about the 
same time. 

Lake Navigation. — Subsequent to LaSalle's exploi-ations with the "Griflin" in 
1678, we have no record of sailing vessels upon Lake Erie until about 1754, when 
the French built a boat of perhaps 60 tons burthen; but which foundered on an 
early trip with the loss of 50 lives. Communication with Detroit had been kept 
up, by flat bottomed, oared boats, called bateaux, or overland through Canada. 
After the British obtained possession of both shores they erected sailing craft and 
in 1766 launched four, which were chiefly used for carrying troops and army sup- 
plies; the bateaux still serving for commercial business. The British did not re- 
linquish Presque Isle and its surroundings, to the States, until 1785, and then 
with reluctance. In 1794, armed British vessels were anchored near the Peninsu- 
la point for some time; as an encouragement to the hostile Indians, and menance to, 
the advance pioneers. When settlement commenced here in 1795, Capt. Lee of Buf- 
falo, fitted up a sail-boat, for the Presque I^le trade. The Washington was built, 
in Erie two years later, and in 179S, the Pennsylvania Population Co., unier sup- 
erintendence of Eliphalet Beebe, built a sloop of 30 tons burthen, at the mouth of; 
Four Mile creak; which continued iu service until 1810. Rufus S. Reed and Capt.J 



ERIE IN THE WAR OF 1812 



81 



Lee built the Good Intend, in lTi»9, at the moulii of Mill creek. She sank at 
Point Albino, 180(3, and the crew was lost. The Harlequin, built in 1800 by Mr. 
Bjebe; lost the first season. In 1801, Erie parties pui-ch ised the Wilkinson, of 65 
tons; and in 1805 Capt. Dobbins became her master. The Schooner Mary, 100 
tons, was built in Erie that year and a number of other small sailing- craft entered 
the trade on'^Lake Erie. The British had not submitted peacefully to their loss 
of the Colonies. By the impressing of seamen and other overt acts they sought to 
bring on a second struggle, and the discreet American capitalists believed it un- 
wise to venture much in establishing a merchant marine until there was some 
adequate defense against British armed vessels. The Detroit, a 50 ton sloop and 
three smaller vessels, were owned by the U. S. Government, but the formei- was 
lost in 1809. About that time R. S. Reed and Capt. Dobbins purchased the 
Schooner Charlotte from Canadian parties, for the lake trade. 

Unprepared for War.— Upon the opening of hostilities between the British 
and Americans, only one Government vessel, the Adams, 150 tons, was in com- 
mission on Lake Ei-ie and it was captured by the English without the firing of a 
gun. The entire merchant marine of Lake Erie would not aggregate 1000 tons, 
and the south shore of the lake was without naval defense. About July 1, 1812, 
Capt. Dobbins, with R. S. & W. W. Reed on board, sailed the Charlotte to Mack- 
inaw, on commercial business, where the schooner was captured by the English, 
July 17 and the owners released on parole. On its way to Ft. Maiden, (a small post, 
opposite to Detroit,in Canada) the Charlotte was recaptured by the Americans; but 
was included in Hull's surrender of Detroit, Aug. 16, and the second time became 
a prey for the British. Capt. Dobbins and the Reeds, made their way from De- 
troit to Cleveland in an open boat where another small sloop was secured for the 
Erie trade. 

The formal declaration of war with Great Britian was past in Congress, June 
18, 1812; but so averse were many of the Americans, for this second 
conflict, that the Madison administration was severely censured by the opposing 
political party, and the Governors of several New England States, rt first not only 
neglected to give the service of their militia, but refused to allow the U. S. troops 
inside their territory. No proper preparations for the advent ox wtir had been 
made and within the first year our forces on land almost invariably met with defeat. 
Situation at Erie.— From its central position, and excellent natural harbor; 
Erie was regarded as a most important military post, although the villiagc had but 
300 inhabitants. Detroit was the chief town of the West, while) a, garrison was 
maintained at Ft. Dearborn, where now stands the city of Chicago;; others at Tole. 
do. Sandusky and Cleveland. Buffalo was the nearest villiage ou the east, having 
1,500 inhabitants, and Black Rock adjoining, half as many more. So utterly de- 
fenseless was both Buffalo and Erie, that the British might havo struck a fatal 
blow at once, but they seemed disposed to wait and the border people soon rallied 
to a realizing sense of the need of self-defense. Erie County had a population of 
about 4,000 and the State held an organized militia of which G'en. KeltiO of Erie, 
was commander of the Northwestern Division, and his brigade was; immediately 
ordered out. The regiment of this County, was in command of Col. J. C'. Wallace 
with Captains Andrew Cochran, Zelotus Loo, James Barr, Wm. Dickson, Robt. 
Davison, Warren Foote, John Morris, — Smith and — Donaldson. CUpt. Barr's 
company was at once ordered to Sandusky and Capt. Coe'arau's Springfield militia 
were to patrol the lake beach, above the Peninsula, on the look-out for the ene- 
my's boats. Capt. Forster of Erie, commanded aa independent militia company. 



82 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

f i-om the five Nofthwestern counties, some 2,500 men were secured in the first 
month. In July 500 muskets, together with flints, lead and powder were forsvard- 
ed from Harrisburg. Tn August the available men were ordered to BulTalo. to 
prevent a threatened attack and 2,000 more from Penn'a marched forward in Sept. 
Regarding the progress of events, we quote the following from official memoranda. 
Aug. 25- It is I'eported that a number of the enemy's vessels have been seen 
and believed that an attack will be made on Erie. 

Sept. 4 — The Governor directed that the State field-pieces be sent to Erie. 
Sept. 16— Gen. Kelso was notified that a brass field-piece and four four- 
pounders were on their way to Efie. 

Sept. 18— Wilson Smith of Waterford was appointed Quarter Master General 
of the State. 

Oct. 21 — Gen. Snyder in command of Pennsylvania militia ordered Gen. Kelso 
to enlist volunteers, if practicable, for the defense ol Erie; "not exceeding a 
Major's command.'' 

The Navy Yard. ^ When Capt. Dobbins reached Erie, subsequent to his 
capture at Mackinaw, he found Gen. David Mead in command of the garrison; but 
the only mai'iue defense was a howitzer upon a small iron boat, which was used in 
celebrating the Fourth and other jubilees. Gen. Mead, sent Dobbins to Washing- 
ton to give information regarding the lake situation, and to advocate the estab- 
lishment of a navy yard at this port, for the immediate building of a fleet, able to 
cope with the British. By the authorities at the Capitol, Capt. Dobbins was 
commissioned as sailing master and ordered to commence the construction of gun- 
boats, reporting to Commodore Chauncey at Sackett's Harbor, who had charge 
of the lake navy, for further instructions. It was late in October when Dobbins re- 
turned and he was unable to secure a sufficient force of carpenters that fall, so the 
work progressed very slowly. Com. Chauncey visited Erie, Jan. 1, 1813 and in ad- 
dition to the gunboats, decided to construct two sloops of war. Noah Brown a 
master ship builder from New Yoi-k, arrived in March with 25 cai-penters and 
the work was pushed. A secret incendiary was feared and Capt. Forster's com- 
pany, then the only protection to Erie was detailed to patrol the Navy Yard at night. 
Commodore Perry. — Oliver Hazard Perry who was boi-n at R. I., Aug. 23, 
1785, entered the navy as a midshipsman in 1799, and in 1804-5. had been with the 
forces engaged against Tripoli. In command of a small flotilla of gunboats at 
Providence, at the outbreak of hostilities, he was desirous for distinction and 
requested to be sent to Erie and by Commodore Chauncey was ordered to pro- 
ceed. Arriving at Black Rock, Mar. 24, 1813, he spent a day in examining the 
navy yard and arranging for stores. Accompanied by a brother aged 13, he came 
to Erie, with a sleigh, on the ice, arriving here Mar. 27. The British threatened 
to forestall the navy preparations at Erie and capture the boats before completion. 
To prevent this, Gen. Meade ordered a regiment of militia to Erie, comprising an 
artillery company from Luzerne Co. Up to this time the lield-pieces had been 
stored at Waterford, but were now br(jught to Erie. Col. Reese Hill, of Greene 
Co. took command of the pjst and the block houses were hurriedly repaired. The 
timbers for the new war fleet had been cut green, and all the iron available in this 
section having been exhausted, a new supply was brought from Pittsburg to 
Waterford by keel-boats. Capt. Dobbins secui-ed some seamen from Black Rock 
and part of the ordnance for the fleet was brought from Buffalo by sail boats, under 
cover of darkness, accomp.::iied by sailing master Taylor and 20 seamen. Perry 
set out for Pittsburg Mar, 31, where he purchased four additional cannon, some 



BUILDING PERRY'S FLEET 83 

canonades and muskets. He had cannon-shot cast, arranged for sails ana uiiiei- 
supplies. ■ Returning to Erie Apr. 10. a new block house was erected near the si'e 
of the present Land Lij^lit house and redoubts wf-,re thrown up on Garrison Hill. 
Tlie Porcupine and Tigress gunboats, buiifc uear the foot of Sassafras streets were 
launched Apr. 15 and at once equipped. Tne Lawrence and Niagara, immortal- 
ized in history by their hero, and the pilot-boat Ariel, were built where now 
stands the Pittsburg Docks. The two twelve-pounders that had been brought 
fi-om Buffalo were posted on the east fort redoubt and the Pittsburg cannnon on 
Garrison Hill. 

Ft. George Taken— May 23, Pen-y departed in a four-oared boat, to par- 
ticipate in an attack upon Ft. George, on the Canadian side at the mouth of Nia- 
gara river, where he took a gallant part and the British were defeated. May 27. 
This weakened their forces along the Niagara frontier and Perry thought it a 
good time to bring out of the river, the brig Caledonia, which had been captured 
Oct. 7, 1812, from the English, by Lieut. Elliott, from under the guns at Ft. Erie, 
opposite to Buffalo. There were also four small schooners anchored in a creek 
near Black Reck. Under Perry's directions, by the aid of ox-teams and a com- 
pany of soldiers, these were assisted up the rapids at Shick Rock. Five armed 
British vessels were patroling the lake, and the American boats, not yet manned 
for fight, eluded their enemy by sailing at night, and anchoring in obscure ci-eeks 
during the day. They reached Erie June 27, having barely escaped from the 
British fleet which had been at Twenty Mile creek two days previous. The Eng- 
lish were much chagrined, when they learned that these boats, which they had 
felt sure of taking, were anchored inside of Presque Isle bay. 

Perry's Fleet was now together, consisting of the Lawrence and Niagara, twin 
sloops 260 tons each; Schooners Arial and Scorpion, (53 tons each; gunboats Porcu- 
pine and Tigress, 50 tons each: the Caledonia, 85 tons; Schooners Ohio and Somers 
each 65 tons and the sloop Trippe, 50 tons. The Lawrence was launched June 25 
and the Niagara July 4, 1813. Up to this time, but 200 men were at Perry's com- 
mand of whom one-fourth were sick. On July 20, Perry wrote to Com. Chauncey 
as follows: 

'•The enemy's fleet of six sail are now off the bar of the harbor. What a gold- 
en opportunity if we had men! Their object is to bhjckade or attack us, or to 
carry provisions and reinfoi-cements to Maiden. Should it be to attack us, we are 
ready to meet them. Give me men sir, and I will acquire, both for you and myj^elf, 
honor and glory on this lake, or perish in the attempt. Conceive my feelings: an 
enemy w^ithin striking distance, my vessels ready and not men enough to man 
them. I know my dear sir, full-well, you will send me the crews for the vessels as 
soon as possible; yet a day appears an age, with the enemy in sight, my vessels suf- 
ficient and ready to make sail, and yet obliged to bite my fingers with vexation for 
want of men. I hope some cause will delay the enemy's return to Maiden until 
my men arrive, and I will have them." 

A day later, in a calm, Capt. Perry pulled out to the bar with three gunboat.s 
and a few shots were exchanged but a breeze springing up the enemy stood of!'. 
July 24 and 30, 130 men and officers, arrived from Lake Ontario, and landsmen 
were enlisted to serve for four months, or until after a decisive battle, at $1W 
per month. 

Over the Bar — At this time there was a sand bar, nearly a mile in width, 
projecting southeasterly from the Light House point, to the main shore, A nur- 



84 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

row winding channel, with from 5 to 9 ft. of water, was to be traversed and to raise 
the brigs Lawrence and Niagara, over tliis bar, was an important undertak- 
ing. This was accomplished by plugged scows, which were placed on each side of 
a brig, allowed to fill with water, and securely fastened down, by means of large 
timbers. Then the plug was put in place and the water bailed and pumped from 
the lighters, raising the vessel which had been stripped of her armament, to the 
height required to float her. On the morning of Aug. 3, the Lawrence was taken 
over, and the Niagara the following day. As the latter was on the bar, the British 
squadron hove in sight; but the weather being hazy and both brigs headed in 
the same direction, the British probably supposed them over the bar and under 
protection of the Land Light fort. July 28 an urgent appeal had been received 
from Gen. Harrisoa, for co-operation on the west end of the lake, ar,d Perry re- 
plied, "I am of opinion that in two days the nayal superiority will be decided on 
Lake Erie. Should I be successful, I shall sail immediately for the head of the lake. 
The squadron is not more than half manned, but as I see no prospect of reinforce- 
ment I have determined to commence operation. 

The Fleet Sailed '^'^ the morning of Aug. 6, but returned on the 7, not hav- 
sighted the enemy, which was probably fortunate, as the officers and men were 
well worn from much vigilance while getting over the bar. Additional reinforce- 
ments arrived from Lake Ontario Aug. 8, and four days later Commodore Perry's 
squadron again set sail. The entire force was about 460. The fleet reconnoitered 
at Put-in-Bay and Aug. 17, sailed into Sandusky Bay, where a signal was fired and 
Col. Gaines of Harrison's command came on board. The General who was 28 miles 
distant with an army of 8.000, troops, was at once sent for and arrived the follow- 
ing day. With his officers, and 26 Indian chiefs, he boarded and inspected the 
fleet. Here Perry received 36 volunteers, which increased his total muster-roll to 
490. He was taken with malarial fever with which many of his men were down- 
The only physician able to be on duty, was Dr. U. Parsons who continued to pre- 
scribe although himself quite ill. By Sept. 1, Perry was again able to be on deck. 
In the mean time the British had rigged and equipped a new vessel, the Detroit, 
which gave them a superior fleet to the Americans. Capt. Djbbins in charge of 
the schooner Ohio had been dispatched to Erie for ammunition and supplies. 
Sept. 6, the fleet sailed up near Maiden at the west end of the lake, but finding 
th British at their moorings returned to Put-in-Bay. He now held a council with 
ills sub-commanders and gave minute instructions, as he saw the desperate con- 
flict was near at hand. 

The squadron was officered as follows: Brig Lawrence, 20 guns, in charge of 
the Commodore; Niagara same equipment, Capt. Elliott; Caledonia 3 guns Lieut. 
Turner; Ariel, 4 guns, Lieut. Packet; Scorpion, 2 guns. Sailing-master Champlin; 
Somers, 2 guns. Sailing-master Almy: Trippe,! gun, Lieut. Holdup: Tigress, 1 gun 
Lieut. Conklin; Porcupine, 1 gun, Midshipman Senat. Total ")4 guns and 490 men 
of whom over 100 were on the sick list. The Ohio had gone the .second time to 
Erie, for supplies and did not return until after the fight. 

The British Fleet consisted of the Detroit, 298 tons, 19 guns; Queen Char- 
lotte, 260 tons, 17 guns; Lady Prevost, 96 tons, 13 guns; Hunter. 71 tons, 10 guns; 
Little Belt, 60 tons, 3 guns; Chippewa 35 tons, i gun, making an aggregate of 63 
guns of which 35 were long range. The squadron was commanded by Commodore 
Robt. Barclay, an experienced seaman; who liad served with Nelson at Trafalgar. 



t»ERRY'S VICTORY ON LAKE ERIE 85 

The second in command was Capt. Finnis, who had also seen prior service. The 
British force numbered over 500, all acclimated and in good fighting trim. 

Perry's Victory— At sunrise Sept. lO, the British fleet hove in sight and 
the American sqiiadi-on was signaled "enemy in sight, get underway." The wind 
was unsteady, but .shifting to southeast it enabled the Americans to engage the 
enemy to windward as they much preferred. The British vessels came in the fol- 
lowing order: Chippewa. Detroit, Hunter, Queen Charlotte, Lady Prevost, and 
Little Belt. To oppose these, Perry arranged the Lawrence, to encounter the 
Detroit, Scorpion in front and Ariel on his weather bow; Caledonia against the 
Hunter and NiHgara opjiosite the Queen, with the four smaller boats to attack the 
Lady Prevost and Little Belt. At ten o'clock when but five miles intervened be- 
tween the opposing fleets, Perry summoned his crew and said: "My brave lads, 
this *flag contains the last words of Capt. Lawrence: Shall I hoist it?" Aye, 
aye sirl was the unanimous response. As it was run to the masthead it was 
greeted with enthusiastic cheers, from the other American vessels. 

A luncheon was then served and Perry passed round, examining his guns and 
sails to see that all things were in readiness, and exchanging words of encourage- 
ment and exhortation to his men, to do their whole duties. About noon, as they 
had floated near the enemy, a bugle on the D^^troit, gave the signal for action. 

Battle Commenced hy a dischai-ge from a long range British cannon. 
The first shot was fired at the Lawrence without effect. Perry forced his vessel to 
close range and opened a destructive fire on the Detroit. The Niagara, failing to 
engage the Queen, the latter pushed ahead to assist the Detroit, pouring her broad- 
sides into the Lawrence with terrible effect and soon made her a wreck. 

As most of the men on the Lawrence, had been killed or wounded, and the 
boat wrecked. Perry perceived that victory must be achieved some other way, and 
hauling down his battle flag, with his remaining uninjured men he crossed in a 
small boat, under a perfect hail of musketry, to the Niagara, and again raised the 
battle flag. Capt. Elliott was sent back to urge the small boats to the rescue. 
The Niagara crossed the bow of the Lawrence and bore down head first into the 
enemy's line, taking a i-aking position. Tne gearing of the Detroit had been 
crippled and in attemi)ting to turn she b^c irae entangled with her consort Queen, 
leaving no alternative to the British; but to strike their colors. Perry next en- 
gaged the Lady Prevost and with one broadside silenced her battery; the Hunter 
soon struck and the two smaller vessels, which attempted to escape, were over- 
hauled by the Scorpion and Trippe, thereby ending the fight at about 3 p. m. 
As the smoke cleared away, the Lawrence again hoisted a flag which was feebly 
cheered, as those who had cheared before were mostly silenced in death or in the 
hold, wounded. Destruction and carnage had been severe on the Lawrence, 
where 22 were killed and 61 wounded. On the Detroit and Queen equal havoc 
had been made. The British had 41 killed and 94 wounded; while the American 
loss was 27 killed and IHi wounded, three of whom died a few days later. Perry 
retui'ned to the disabled Lawrence, where he received the formal surrender of the 
British and from tlie deck of which, at 4 p. m. on a scrap of paper, he wrote to 
Gan. Harrison, the oft quoted dispatch: "We have met the enemy and they are 
ours: two shijx. two brigs, one schoonfi-and one sloop." The dead sailors and 

*The citizens of Erie, when the L?wrence was named, presented Capt. Perx'y, 
with a handsome battle fl-^g, upon wliloh was made, on a blue back ground, in 
large white letters, the raeiii.irable words of Capt. Lawrence, who had perished in 
the Atlantic navy a few months before: "Don't give up the Ship." 



86 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

marines, with cannon shot tied to their hammocks were cast into the lake. 
On the follovvin<i- morning the crippled fleets, sailed into Put-in-Bay, where the 
dead officers, Lieut. Brooks and Midshipmen Laub and Clark of the American 
fleet, were buried with the honors of war; and also the British officers, Capt. 
Finnis, Lieuts. Stokes and Garland. The Lawrence was repaired and Sept. 21, 
with the wounded on board, was dispatched to Erie, where evei-y care was given 
to the suflfering. The British prisoners that were well, had been given in charge 
of Gen. Harrison, but were brought soon afterward in the Detroit and Queen 
Charlotte to Erie, and transferred to Pittsburg for safe keeping. 

Another Victory — The other boats carried a detachment of Gen. Harrison's 
troops to Detroit, where they were reinforced by cavalry on land, and Gen. Proc- 
tor made a hasty retreat from Ft. Maiden; but was pursued and most of his com- 
mand overtaken and captured on the Thames river, Oct. 5. As the enemy had 
now been routed, on and around Lake Erie, Gen. Harrison was ordered to garri- 
son Ft. George, and with Com. Perry, embarked on the Ariel. Com. Barclay, on 
parole, also accompanied his captor. The party met with an enthusiastic recep- 
tion at Erie, Oct. 22, and next day, on board the Ariel continued their journey to 
Buffalo. Perry was everywhere received with enthusiasm and not only himself 
but Com. Chauncey and Capt. Eilliot received large prizes and the entire Ameri- 
can command were remembered in the distribution. The British vessels captured 
were appraised at $255,000. 

In 1815 Perry was with Decatur in the Mediterranean squadron. June 1819, 
he was sent to the Spanish Main and in July ascended the Orinoco to Angostura. 
He was taken with yellow fever at Port Spain, on the island of Trinidad and died 
on his 34th, birthday anniversary, Aug. 23, 1819. 

Subsequent Events— in the winter of 1813-14, a new block-house was built 
on Garrison hill and another on the point of the Peninsula. The one on Gain*i- 
son hill was burned in 1853 and the present one was erected in 1877 not for defense, 
but as a monument to Gen Wayne. The navy of Lake Erie wintered in the harbor 
and a large body of militia was stationed here. Perry's victory and subsequent 
distribution of the prize money, with leisure hours and lax discipline, did not pro- 
mote the morals of the place. Midshipman Senat and Acting-master McDonald 
of the Porcupine, fought a duel in which the former was killed. 

On Dec. 30, 1813, Black Rock and Buffalo, numbering about 2,200 inhabitants, 
were taken by the English and the villages burned. The Indian's braves, who 
accompanied the British wei-e allowed to plunder and murder to their hearts 
desire. Great excitement prevailed atErie. Jan.lO, '14, Capt. Elliott informed Gen. 
Mead, that but 2,000 men were available, whereas some 3,000 of the enemy were 
in camp 8 miles this side of Buffalo, waiting for the ice to get safe, to march upon 
it to Erie. Gen. Mead, at once ordered 2,000 additional troops to this place. 
Winter quarters were erected below Fifth street and west of Peach. The officers 
bari-ack was used for several years subsequent as a "meeting house." 

April 1814 Capt. Elliott was transferred to Lake Ontario and his place here 
was taken by Com. Sinclair. An expedition was now planned against Mackinaw. 
The Lawrence and Niagara, Detroit and Queen Charlotte were repaired, and 
June 25, the fleet sailed up the lake. At Detroit 600 troops were taken on boai-d 
and 500 more at Fort Gratiot. The British wei-e well fortified and the attack was 
repulsed. The schooners Scorpion and Tigress were captured in Lake Huron, by 
British and Indians who boai'ded them at night, but the balance of the fleet re- 
turned. The Ariel and Chippewa were driven to shore and went to pieces near 



THE NAVAL STATION ^7 

Buffalo; the Somers and Ohio while at anchor at Ft. Erie were captured by the 
British, while the Trippe and Little Belt quartered at Black Rock were atec de- 
stroyed by the English, Avhen that village fell into their hands. The rest of the 
squadron including the Lawrence, Niagara and smaller vessels were anchored ia 
Misery bay. Bird and Rankin, mariners, were shot for desertion the succeeding 
fall and Davis, a seaman, was hung to the yard-arm of the Niagara. 

James Bird for whom a sentimental song was composed, belonged to a vol- 
unteer company from Bellefonte, which occupied a small block-house at the Cas- 
cade, when Perry's boats were building. Having been unaccustomed to military 
restraint the company refused to obey orders and were all put under arrest, 
Lieut. Brooks, being badly in need of a force to man his boat, all who would 
volunteer as marines, were forgiven their former insubordination. On the return 
Bird was made Sergeant and given charge of a storehouse which stood at the 
mouth of Millcreek, from which he deserted. As this was on the frontier and in 
time of active hostilities it was thought necessary to make an example of these 
men and they paid the penalty according to rules of war. A treaty of peace between 
Great Britain and the United States, was concluded at Ghejjt, Belgium, Dec. 14, 

1814, but as there were no telegrajjhs at that time, the news did not reach New 
Orleans, until after Gen. Jackson's defeat of Packenham's British ti'oops on Jan. 8, 

1815, near that place. This was the last battle of the War of 1812 and peace was 
again restored. 

The Navy Vessels— The cannon of Perry's fleet and the British vessels, 
were kept in the navy yard at Erie until the fall of 1825, when they were distri- 
buted, at intervals of 10 miles, along the line of the Erie Canal, between BufTalo 
and Albany. That waterway was finished through to Buffalo Oct. 24, 1825 and 
the following day Gov. Clinton and his escort arrived at Buffalo, having made the 
trip by canal-boat in a little less than five days. It was arranged that on start- 
ing for the return the gun at Buffalo should be fired, and upon hearing this the 
cannon at Tonawanda was touched off, then its next neighbor to the east and so on 
to Albany. In this manner the news of the Governor's start for the return, was 
conveyed by sound, 280 miles, in 100 minutes, before the days of telephone or tel- 
egraphy. After this the cannon were transferred to the Brooklyn navy yard. 

In 1815 orders were issued to dispose of the Lake Erie fleet to the best advan- 
tage possible. The Lawrence, Detroit and Queen Charlotte were sunk in Misery 
bay; the Caledonia and Lady Prevost were sold and converted into merchant ves- 
sels; the Porcupine was made into a revenue cutter and the Niagara used as a 
Government receiving ship for some years, when she was beached on the north- 
east side of Misery bay. Subsequent to Capt. Sinclair the naval !-tation here was 
in command of Capts. D. S. Dexter, David Deacon, George Budd and Lieut. 
George Pierce. 

The Naval Station at Erie was discontinued in 1825, and the pi'operty sold 
at auction, a Mr. Brown of Rochester purchasing the sunken vessels. He resold 
them in 1836 to George Miles and others. The Detroit and Queen Charlotte were 
raised and repaired doing duty on the lakes for some years. The former was finally 
dismanteled and sent over the Falls as an advertising feature of a gala day. 
Leander Dobbins purchased the interests of the Lawrence and Niagara, in 1857, 
and 1875, sold the Lawrence to John Dunlap and T. J. Viers. It was raised in the 
spring of 1876, cut in two, and transported to the Centennial; but its insignifi- 
cant size made the public incredulous and the side-show proved a financial fail- 



88 ERIE COIfNTY HISTORY. 

ure. The oak plank which were removed from her deck, before the divided hulk 
was taken to Philadelphia, were in a complete state of presevvation and by 50 
years of water-soak had reached a condition, which sustained a high finish, making' 
a grain almost equal to mahogany. Many canes and other novelties were ma<le 
'from this wood and are highly treasured by their ownei-s. The Niagara still re- 
mains in Misery bay, but there is a movement on foot to raise the hulk and con- 
vert the timbers into mementoes. 

County Formation —We now turn back, to bring up the connecting link of 
political and civil events, in order that the reader may intelligibly understand 
his surroundings. Until Sept. 24, 1788, all of this State west of the Allegheny, 
and north of the Ohio river, was embraced in Westmoreland Co.; at which time 
the western end of the State was made Allegheny county, with Pittsburg as 
county seat. After the Mead purchase, the area of Crawford and Erie counties 
became known as Mead tp., which continued until 1798, when a re-districting was 
made and Erie, Crawfoi'd, Mercer, Venango, and Warren, became townships, two 
years later having been created counties. Some of the pioneers of Erie tp. 1797-8, 
came as far as 35 miles to Erie, the only voting place, in order to exercise the 
rights of suffrage. Apr. 8, 1799, six election districts were made, located at 
North East, Edinboro, Conneaut, Waterford, Concord and Erie. By the act of 
Mar. 12, 1800, Ei'ie township was made a county, covering nearly its present area 
of 745 square miles, (476,800 acres.) The averasre length is 36 miles and breadth 
20 miles. The new county was divided into 16 townships, and three have since 
been formed from parts ot others. (See table — Population of Twps., etc.) 

The exact boundary line, between Erie and Crawford counties was not decided 
until 1850, when H. A. Hills of Albion, Andrew Ryan of Crawford and H. P. Kin- 
near of Warren, under special act of 1849, superintended a new survey. This 
was made a direct line adding a long narrow strip to Erie Co., and a small addi- 
tion to Crawford county thereby making a change of county for some of the pio- 
neer I'esidents along the line. 

In the first presidential elections, 1788 and 1792 there were no voters in the 
present area of Erie County, but Allegheny coun^^y of which this was a part, gave 
its vote unanimously, for Washington, presidential electors. In 1796, the Jeffer- 
son electors received 392 votes and those for Adams 77 votes making a total of 469 
in all Western Penn. The State vote for presidential electors, also the Congress- 
men, Senators and; Representatives fromtliis district.has been given in prior pages. 

POLITICAL EVENTS, 1800 TO PRESENT. 

Judah Colt, in his memorandum, records that in Oct. 171iS. he accompanied 65 
of the Population Co. settlers, from Colt's Station and its vicinity to Erie, where 
all voted in favor of a Federal Representative. 

1801— The County was so sparsely settled, (census of 1800 giving only 1.468 in- 
habitants) that it was impracticable to sustain a local government and Erie, 
Crawford. Mercer, Venango and Warren, were for legal purposes, by act Apr. 9, 
1801, combined as one county wioh MeadvJlle as shire town. This combination 
continued for two years. The vote for Assemblyman in the above counties (which 
continued as one representative district till 1822.) was Alex. Buchanan, Crawford, 
416; John Lytle Jr., Erie. 353, (John Lytle, evidently intended for the same, but 
not counted, 75;) John Findky, Mercer, 208. 

1802— Buchanan received 520 votes; John Lytle Jr., 570; Findley. 197; .Tames 



POLITICAL EVENTS 89 

Harrington, Mercer, 238. For governor these five counties polled 1,835 votes for 
McKean, dera. and 187 votes, for James Ross, federal. 

1803 — Erie County elected separate officers for the first time as follows. Wil- 
son Smith, Waterford, SheriiT: Abraham Smith, Erie, Coroner; John Vincent, Wa- 
terford. Abiather Qi'ane, Mill Creek, James Weston, LeBoeuf, Commissioners; 
John Lytic Jr. re-elected to Assembly; John Hoge, Washington Co,, elected to 
Congress in place of Wm. Hoge, i-esigned. 

The first court was held in April, 1803. at Geo. Beuhler's tavern corner Third 
and French streets; Judge Jesse More presiding. John Kelso of Erie and David 
Mead of Crawford officiated as Associate Judges. The hours for convening 
court was announced by blowing a horn. This continued to be be the practice 
until after the erection of the second court-house in 1823. Judge Moore c( ntin- 
ued as President Judge of this judicial district, until his death at Meadville, 
Dec. 21, 1824. 

1804 — Erie County cast 112 ballots, all for Jefferson electors. Wm. Clark of 
Erie, James Lowry of North East and John Phillips of Venango were elected 
County Commissioners. 

1805 — For Sheriff John Milroy received 296 votes and Jacob Carmack one vote 
less. Neither having I'eceived a majority the appointing power was with the 
Govei'nor who gave the office to Carmack. John Hay of Erie was chosen Com- 
missioner and Samuel Smith of Millcreek, Congressman, in place of^J. B. C. 
Lucas who had resigned: 

1806— John McCreary of Millcreek, Commissioner; John Milroy, Erie, Coro- 
ner. Samuel Smith re-eleoted to Congress by 715 majority. 

1807 —For Assembly Wilson Smith dem.-rep., of Watei-ford, rec'd in Mercer, 
Crawford, Erie and Venango counties 939 votes; A. W. Foster, fed. -rep., of Mer- 
cer 570— Smith's majority 369. For Coroner John Gray of Erie, 10 majority over 
Geo. Lowry of North East; John Boyd of Waterford elected Comsr. Four elec- 
tion districts were added in the County. 

1808 — The house of John Yost was made the voting place for district No. 11. 
Erie county cast 200 votes for Madison electors and 86 for the opposition. Jacob 
Spang of Erie elected Sheriff; Thos. Rees, Harborcreek Coroner; John Brawley, 
North East, Comsr. 

1809— J. C. Wallace elected Coroner; Thos. Foi'ster Comsr. 

1810 — J. E. Herron, Erie, and James Weston, LeBoeuf, each received 278 votes 
for Sheriff. Weston appointed by the Governor; John Salsbury, Conneaut, elec- 
ted Comsr. 

1811 — Henry Taylor of North East, elected County Commissioner. 

1812— For Madison electors 152, opposition 129. Thos. Wilson of Erie, Comsr.; 
John Milroy, Coroner. 

1813— David Wallace of Erie, Sheriff; Thos. Wilson elected to Congress and 
resigned as Comsr. — John Grubb chosen to fill the vacancy — Thos. Foster re- 
elected Coroner. 

1814 — Henry Taylor, of North East, re-elected Commissioner. 

1815 — John Morris, of Erie, for Coroner received 182 votes and James Boyd, 
Waterford, 180. Robt. McClelland, Millcreek, Comsr. 

1816 — Monroe electoi's 130, opposition 84. Henry Hurst, a pioneer of North 
East, elected State Senator, from Meadville; in place of Joseph Shannon ro 
signed. For Sheriff, Stephen Wolverton, Erie, 290; James Hall, Springfield, 242. 

1817 — Robt. Brown of Erie, elected County Commissionei". 



90 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

ISl'^- For Coroner. Samu.l Hsy?. 2(i2. Thos. Laird. 2.5-5 both of Erie. 

l'<iV' For Sheriff Thos. Laird rec'd 19 plurality over David Wallace. Ste- 
phen Wolverton elected Comsr. 

Note— There are no official records of county elections up to this date, aud his^ 
torians are under much obligation to Moses Smith Vincent, a venerable attache 
of the court-house, who. has taken much pains in collecting the ancient records of 
elections and by whom the "Political Handbook of Erie County" was issued in 1880. 

1820— The Erie Gazette was established Jan. 15. by Jos. M. Sterrett. Complete 
annual files have since been bound, creating a valuable reference sheet of Qijr^ 
rent events. Patrick Farrelly was the Monroe Presidential elector from this di§^ 
trict. The vote for Governor in Erie County, was Findley 519, Hiester -115, Geo^ 
Nicholson, Fairview. chosea Comsr., by 75 majority, over Henry Colt of Water* 
ford. Thos. H. Sill. Erie, and Thos. Dunn. McKean elected Auditors. Alex.. 
McNair. formerly of Milicreek, was elected first G jvernor of Missouri. 

1821— Thos. JForster again elected Comsr.: Thos. Rees, Auditor; Benj. Russel^ 
Milicreek, Coroner. 

1822- Wolverton. elected SheriflE: Henry Colt, Comsr.; Thos. Dunn, Auditor^ 

182.3— Andrew Shulze, dem. for Governor 754: Andrew Gregg, fed. 601, in thi§ 
County. Alex. McClosky, North East, Comsr.; Daniel Sayre, Fairview, Auditor. 

1824— A democratic convention was held at Harrisburg Mar. 4, nominating 
Andrew Jackson and J. C. Calhoun for President and Vice-President. At the fall 
election 302 were cast for Jackson: 55 for for Adams: 10 for Crawford; 3 for Clay^ 
There seemed to have been a great diversity of sentiment and the voters were SQ, 
c nfused as to have been indifferent. For Congressman 1,098 votes were cast in 
Erie County, while for Presidential electors but 370 votes were cast. 

John Morris, of Erie, was chosen Comsr.; R.- S. Reed, Cor; Thos. Rees, Aud, 

LaFayette is a name repeated with gratitude on two continents, and 
needs no apology for its insertion here. The Marquis de LaFayette was born in 
France. Sept. 6, 17.57, and was encumbered with the euphonious given name of 
Marie Paul Jean Rock Yves Gilbert Motier. By his parents death he fell heir to, 
large estates at the age of 13, was married at 17, made a captain of French dra-. 
goons at 19 and before the age of 20 sailed for Amei-ica with his own yacht and 
tendered his services to the Revolutionists. He served as major general, without 
pay 1777-83, also furnishing supplies to a part of his command. LaFayette was 
wounded at Brandywine, and fought with great honor at Monmouth. He re- 
turned to France in 1779 and induced the King to send additional reinforcement 
to the States. Subsequent to the Revolutior, LaFayette held high civil and mill-, 
tarv offices in his native land. He was imprisoned by the Austrians at Olmutz, 
for five years, but was liberated by the heroism of Col. Huger. Gen. LaFayette 
lonc^ed to see the prosperous American republic, which he had assisted in found- 
in*. and in 1825 made an extended visit to this country where he was received 
with great eclat. 

The citizens of Waterford, met May 31, 1825, to prepare for a welcome to 
LaFayette; appointing Gen. Wilson Smith, John Boyd. Capt. John Tracy. Col. 
Henry Colt and Maj. J. Mi McKay as reception committee and John aud Wm. 
Vincent, Geo. W. Reed, Thos. King, Timothy Judson, Solomon Snell, Wm. Ben- 
son. Hugh Hamilton and Isaac Bloomfield upon the general committee of arrange- 
ments. °LaFayette and escorts from Pittsburg arrived at Waterford. 10 p. m. Juud, 
2nd. stopping at Reed's Hotel, for the night. He was received by the militia a^d 
people in general, with demonstrations of great joy. Judah Colt, chairman of the 



LAFAYETTE'S VISIT IN 1825 91 

committee from Erie, met him at Waterford and in behalf of Ei-ie County citizens 
pave him a cordial welcome to this County. Early on the third of June, with a 
large escort, he proceeded to Erie and was met in the suburbs by a batallion of 
uniforme 1 militia under command of Gen. Benj. Wallace. A jirocession headed 
by the military band and Erie guards, escorted Gen. LaFayette, his son George 
Washington LaFayette. and attendant Monsieur LaVasseur. down Sate street to 
the Park, across to French, down to Third, back to State and down to the Docks, 
when a national salute was fired from the Navy Yard. Gan. LaFayette, was wel- 
comed by Dr. J. C. Wallace, who was the Borough Burgess of Erie, at that time, 
as follows: "General I am authorized by the constituted authorities and citizens 
of this Borough and County to express to you their grateful sense of the 
honor done them by your visit to this place. Your presence among us is highly 
gratifying, and I repeat the united voice of our citizens, in giving you a cordial 
welcome to the shores of Lake Erie." To which the General made an appropriate 
reply and after a general handshake he proceeded to the house of Judah Colt 
where a reception was held for the benefit of the ladies. At 1:30 p. m. he was 
escorted from the hotel to a public dinner given on the Second street bridge, be- 
tween French and State, which the Gazette of tliat date informs us, was 170 feet 
in length and was covered by an awniniJ" made from the sails of the British ves- 
sels which had been captured by Commodore Perry, Nov. 10, 1813. These were 
covered with festoons of flowers and evergi;^en, and made an appropriate shade 
for the veteran hero and those wiio welcomed him. A table was set nearly the 
entire length of the bridge, and after the viands were removed many toasts were 
given, among which we note: "'To Gen. LaFayette — In youth a hero, in maturity a 
sage, in advanced life an example to the present and future generation." To this 
three cheers were given when the General responded: 

''To Erie — A name which has a great share in American glory; May the 
town ever enjoy a proportionate share in American prosperity and happiness." 
By Judah Colt — "To the heroes who captured Cornwallis and his army; among 
whom was none more conspicu ms than our illustrious guest." By Rufus S. Reed — 
"Our gratitude to the strangers, who gave support to the American Eagle, ere 
she had strength to soar alone. ' By J. Hoge Waugh. — "Gen. LaFayette the 
revolutionist of two nations and the intrepid champion of liberty — His fame is not 
the diurnal excitement of popular gratitude or w-him but is found in the afifections 
and rights of man and will la-^t till all other human applause has ceased." 

At 3 p m. Gen. LaFayette. suite and escort, took carriages, proffered by Col. 
Bird, proprietor of the BufTaio and Erie stage route, and went to Fredonia; fi'^m 
whence he took passnge to Buffalo on the steamboat Superior. His triumphal 
march through the States ended in October and he returned to his native land 
where he died in 1834. 

1825— Albert Thayer. Millcreek. elected Sheriff; John Salsbury, Conneaut, 
Comsr.: J. M. McKay. Waterford, Auditor: Wm. E. McNair, Millcreek was cho- 
sen for one year, vice Dan'l. Sayre moved out of County. A proposition to create 
a Constitutional Convention, was voted down by a mijority of 1,062. 

1826— The Democratic candidate for Governor had no opposition in this county. 
John Sergeant, Federalist, received but 1,474 votes in the entire State. Wm. 
Benson. Waterford ek cted Comsr ; Martin Strong, McKean, Auditor. 

1827 — Wm. Flemming Erie, Coroner; J. M. Moorhead, Harborcreek, D. H. 
Chapman, Faiiview, Auditors. 

1828— Alex. W.Brewster, Erie. Sheriff: Albert Thayer chosen Comsr.; and 



92 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Myron Hutchison, Spi-ingfield, also elected for one year instead of Wm. Benson, 
resigned; Robt. Cochran. Millcreek, Auditor. State election was held Oct. 14; 
and Presidential, Friday Oct. 31. Erie County gave for Adams 945; Jackson 773. 
1829— The Anti-Masonic party, became" the opponents of the Democrats, in the 
State issue. Jos. M. Sterrett, of the Gazette, elected Comsr.; Eli Webster of Mo 
Kean Auditor. 

1830— The Gazette having espoused the Anti-Masonic cause, the Observer was 
started. May 29, by T. B. Barnum, as a Democratic organ. For Congress. John 
Banks of Mercer, Anti-Mason, received a majority of 316 in this County, and 1,P35 
in the district. The Antis elected the entire County ticket by average majorities 
of 250— John Riddle, Erie, Assemblyman; James Pollock, LeBoeuf, Comsr.; David 
Wallace, Erie, Coroner. 

1831— Anti-Masonic ticket— Wm. Flemming, Sheriff; Thos. R. Miller, Spring- 
field, Comsr.; James Smedley, North East, Auditor— elected by 400 majority. 

1832— John McCord of North East, elected Comsr.; Sam'l. Low, Venango, 
Auditor. 

1833— James Love, Millcreek Comrs.; David McNair, Millcreek, Coroner; Mark 
Baldwin, Greenfield, Auditor. 

1834— Thos. Mehaffey, Erie, Sheriff; Stephen Skinner, McKean, Comsr.; Rus- 
sell Stancliff, Washington, Auditor. 

1835— Joseph Ritner, elected Governor, Erie County giving 398 majority for 
him and the rest of the Anti-Masonic ticket. James Miles, Girard, Comsr.; Wm. 
Benson. Waterford. Auditor. 

1836— The apportionment of the previous year, gave Erie County two Assem- 
blymen. (See list on prior page.) Samuel Low, Rarborcreek elected Comsr.; S. W. 
Keefer, Erie, Coroner; W. H. Crawford, North East, Auditor. Gen. Wm. H. Har- 
rison, was candidate for president this year, but was defeated. In this County he 
received 2,134 votes, and VanBuren 1,312. The latter's majority in the State was 
4.3G4. Thos. H. Sill of Erie and James Pollock, LeBoeuf , were elected as delegates 
to assist in framing a new State Constitution. 

1837— Anti-Masons still held sway in this County. Andrew Scott, Erie, Sher- 
iff: Thos. Sterrett, McKean, Comsr. Thos. Nicholson Millcreek, Auditor. 

1838— Ritner, Anti-Mason for Governor, defeated by David R. Porter, who 
received 5,496 majority, in the State. Wm. E. McNair was elected Co. Comsr.; 
A. W. Brewster Auditor. The rejection of the Northern Liberties district of 
Philadelphia, on account of alleged frauds, created a majority in the Assembly 
for the Democrats and upon the convening of the Legislature, each side elected a 
Speaker and prepared for war. Harrisburg was full of lobbyists and the Governor 
called out the militia. The Senate finally recognized the Democratic organiza- 
tion and the trouble terminated without bloodshed, From this date the Anti- 
Masonic element rapidly declined and soon ceased to be a party issue. 

The new Constitution was adopted by a majority of 1,222. This County gave 
1721 against it. Previous to this, negroes were allowed to vote. Up to this time 
the Clerk of Courts had been appointed by the Governor and officiated also as 
Frothonotary and Recorder. The new Constitution provided for the election of a 
Prothonotary and a Recorder, the former officiating as Clerk. 

1839— Wm. Kelly. Eric, elected Prothonotary: Thos. Morehead, Erie. Recor- 
der: Lyman Robinson, Wattsburg. Comsr. also Saml. Low of Harborcreek Comsr. 
for one year— vacancy by death of Thos. Sterrett; .) K. Caldwell, Millcreek, Cor- 
oner; Gideon J. Ball, Auditor. 



CENSUS TABLE.ERIE COUNTY 



m 



Population of Townships, Cities and Boroughs in Erie County. 

TOWNSHIPS. ACRES. 1820 1830 1840 1850 1 860 1870 1 880 1890 



*Amity 

Conneaut 

tConcord 

Elk Creek 

IFranklin 

Fairview 

Greenfield 

*tGreene 

llGirard 

Harbor Creek 

LeBoeuf 

McKean 

*|| Mill Creek 

North Eatjt 

Springfield 

^Summit 

Union 

Venango 

'I Washington 

Waterford 

*Wavne 

BOROUGHS 
Albion 
Edinboro 
Elgin 
Fairview 
Girard 
Lockport 
Middleboro 
Miles Grove 
Mill Village 
North East 
Union City 
Waterford 
Wattsburg 
Corry City '66 
Erie City 1851 
Erie Countyft 



22,400 
32,640 

22,400 
35,840 



23,040 
19,200 
24,640 



631 

.53 

288 



385 

1,324 

225 

592 



23,860 
25,600 
32,280 
24,960 
19,200 
24,320 



22,400 
21.120 
32.640 
22,400 
22,400 

INO'R 

1861 
1840 
1876 
1868 
1846 
1870 
1861 
18b0 
1870 
1834 
1863 
18^ 
1834 
-1863 
-1805 



536 
281 
142 



555 
505 
440 
1,004 
1,068 
896 



200 
290 
438 
579 



1,529 
694 
443 



1,104 
554 
984 
1,783 
1,706 
1,520 



235 
688 
743 
1,006 
197 



560 

1,796 

652 

1,645 



1,481 
862 
1,081 
2,660 
1,843 
876 
1,714 
2,682 
1,793 
2,344 



635 

8.541 



1,329 
17,041 



593 

811 

1,551 

1,144 

738 



232 



739 
1,942 

882 
1,535 

687 
1,760 

731 
1,542 
2.443 
2,084 

990 
1,916 
3,064 
2,379 
1,946 



1,076 
1,019 
1,706 
1,545 
1,122 



264 



339 



403 
132 



3,412 
31,344 



400 



387 



498 
227 



5.858 
38,742 



1,002 
2,118 
1,245 
1,587 

979 
2,131 

872 
1,437 
2,453 
2,023 
1,487 
1,599 
5,070 
1,854 
1 ,951 
1,038 
1,949 
1,287 
1,942 
1,926 
1,286 



474 



616 



924 
1,538 
1,436 
1.462 

994 
1,674 
1,039 
1,395 
2,018 
1,974 
1,748 
1,300 
2,744 
2,213 
1,742 
1,047 
1,334 
1,370 
1,943 
1,884 
1,295 

452 
801 



480 
704 
405 
126 



566 



792 
329 



9,419 
49,432 



900 

1.500 

790 

286 

6,809 

19.646 

65,973 



1,033 

1,546 

1,171 

1,564 

1,020 

1,482 

1,020 

1.531 

2,338 

1,781 

1,420 

1,394 

3,279 

2,152 

1,792 

1,047 

1,377 

1,445 

1,880 

1,822 

1,306 

433 
876 
154 
425 
703 
345 
210 



388 
1,396 
2,171 

784 

389 

5.277 

27,737 

74,688 



W2 
1,386 

991 
1,325 

963 
1,295 
1,432 
1,511 
1,710 
1,660 
1,215 
1,330 
3,279 
2,124 
1.642 

903 
1,366 
1,351 
1.790 
1,537 
1,124 

366 

1,107 

169 

305 

626 

240 

195 

570 

320 

1,538 

2,261 

838 

382 

5,677 

40,634 

86,074 



*Amity was taken from Union, and Wayne from Concord 1826. 
tThe name of Brokenstraw was changed to Concord in 1821. 
JFranklin taken 'rom Washington, McKean and Elk Creek 1844. 
llGirard cut from Elk Creek, Fairview and Springfield 1832. 
^Summit taken from Greene, Waterford and McKean 1854. 
IJThe original name for Washington tp. was "Conniaute," changed 1834. 
*tBeaver Dam tp. was changed to the name of Greene in 1840. 
*||South Erie was incorporated 1866 and added to Erie in 1870. 
ttThe County contained 1,468 inhabitants in 1800 and 3,758 in 1810. 

Small Lakes.— There are three small lakes in Erie County,— LeBoeuf, on the 
south of Waterford borough, is a half-mile in diameter and one of the heads of 
French creek. It is fed by several small streams. Conneautee on the northern 
side of Edinboro is a mile in length and over half a mile in width. It has a depth 
of 50 feet, at some places, and its outlet, known as Big Conneautee, joins French 
creek. Lake Pleasant in the southwestern corner of Venango tp. is *xf of a mile 
and is apparently fed by springs in the bottom. The outlet also joins French creek. 



«^ ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

1840— Prior to this, each twp. cared for its own poor. A proposition to 
huild a Countj aims-house was carried by 88 majo-ity. The Whiff party was 
started from the remains of the Anti-Masonic and elected a full set of County 
officers by about 1,200 majority: E. W. M, Blaine. North East, Sheriff: Russell 
Stancliff, Washington. Comsr.; James Miles, Girai'd. Auditor; Thos. R. Miller, 
James Benson, G. W. Walker, Poor Directors. In the County 3,636 votes were 
icast foi" Harrison and 2,061 for VanBuren. 

IS-il — Abolitionists held a convention and nominated F. J. LeMoyne of Wanh- 
in^tom Go. for Governor. He rec'd 736 votes in all. of which Erie g-ave. 40 votes. 
David Sawdy, Couneaut. Comsr.; James Williams, Erie, Treas.; Moses Bar net t, 
Flairview, Aud.; Conrad Brown, Millcreek, P. D. 

184^ — Wilson King, Erie. Proth.; Thos. Moorhead, Jr., Erie, Rec; Jos. Hrn- 
'derson. Millcreek, Comsr.; H. Bates, Erie, Coroner; Banj. Gunnison. Greene. 
.:^ohia Evaas, Sr. MiJJcj^eek, P. D. Abolitionists had a full ticket in the 
. Gen, Chas. M. Reed. Whig, elected to Congress. 
imS—W. E. McNair, Sheriff: Robt. Gray, Union, Comsr.; G. J. Ball. Treas.: 
Wro. M. Arbuekle, Erie, And.: James Anderson, Waterford, P. D. 

1S44 — Gen. Reed, I'^ec'd 6,364 votes for Congress, and James Thompson of Erie, 
'StSS^ Isaac Welbster, Fairview, Comsr.; Thos. Pierce, LeBoeuf, Aud.; David Ken- 
medly, Erie, P- D. A proposition to sell the State public works rec'd majority of 
441 m this Gountj, but was defeated in the State by 21,433. For President, 
GiLaj a-ec'd 3,620 vo1t3s and Polk 2,226 in this County. 

184;") — King re-elected Proth.; Moorhead, Rec; Wm. E. Marvin, Greetield, 
Comsr.; Jas. H. Campbell, Edinboro, Aud.; Simeon Hunt, Waterford, Aud. to fill 
vaieancy; Thos. Dillon, Erie, Cor.; Curtis Heidler, Fairview, P. D. 

1846— M. W. Caughey, Fairview, Sheriff; Wm. Campbell, Washington, 
Oafamsr.. J. S. Brown, Erie, Treas.; James Chambers, Harborcreek, Aud.; Wm. 
BiraiGken., LeBoeuf, P. D. 

184J — ^A vote, was taken at the spring election, whether or not licenses to sell 
ll%iDi«a"s sihould be granted. This County gave 233 in favor of granting license. H. 
A. Mills, Conneaut, elected Comsr.; John Wood, LeBa^uf, And.; David Sterrett, 
MdK'eain, P. D. 

af848— James Skinner, Erie, Proth.; R. J. Sibley, Waterford, Rec; Geo. W. 
JBir>echt, Millcreek, Comsr.; John Eagley, Springfield, Aud.; John Hughes. Erie, 
'Tireas.; S. L. Foster Erie, Cor.; David Kennedy, P. D. For President this County 
;gaye Taylor, 3,418, Cass, 2,022; VanBuren, 356. 

1849 — P. E. Burton, Erie, Sheriff; Simeon Stewai-d, Concord, Comsr.; J. L. 
Way, Greene, Aud.; Geo. Fritts, Waterford, P. D. 

1850 — Amendment was made to the Constitution, making Judges elective. This 
(County gave 10 to 1 in its favor. C. B. Curtis of Warren for Congress, rec'd 
lOSnaaajority over J. H. Walker, Erie; Thos. Dunn. McKean, Comsr.: Alfred King. 
lEriise,, Treas.; Flavel Boyd, Waterford, Aud.: M. M. Kelso, Fairview, P. D.: 
Mathew Taylor, Erie, Dist. Att'y; David Wilson, Union. Co. Surveyor. (Eledion.s 
;and political events for the last half of century will bs continued on later pages.) 
Horace Greeley —In 1826 the parents of Horace Greeley located in Wayne 
it;p. and in the Spring of 1830, Horace, who had completed his printer's apprentic- 
:ship in New England, came on foot to visit his parents. He secured work with 
\the Erie Gazette, where he remained for a year at the case. He boarded with his 
(employer. Judge Sterrett, was uncouth and carelessly dressed, and generally the 
Ibutt of the company. He was however well informed on political events and had 



ERIE HARBOR AND COMMERCE 1)5 

a. .widening spbene iij, i-jiaL direction. August 1831, he went to New Yoi'k, where 
ijm 1833, with Francis^ Story, he issued the first daily penny morning paper ever 
ipfiinted. Tiie Post proved a financial failure and Greeley was connected with sev- 
•eral different enterprises, prior to the establishment of the Tribune, April 10, 
ISi'l. He was chief editor of that great and successful journal, for 30 years. Mr. 
(Gi-eeley was a man of libei'al and progressive ideas, served a term in Congress, and 
\vv.as the Democrat-Liberal candidate for the Presidency in 1872. A severe 
(Campaign and crushing defeat, brought on brain fever, from which he died 
nSIovember 29, 1872. 

Erie Harbor— The original survey of Presque Isle bay was made in 1819, at 
which time the channel was narrow and tortuous and with a clean depth of only 
six feet. The State appropriated $10,000 to its improvement in 1822 after which 
the Government took tlie matter in charge. The plan adopted in 1823, compri-sed 
work at the harbor entrancs which has since been carried out, and the main- 
tenance of a channel of navigable width, 16 feet in depth, from the inside harbor 
to the Lake. No work was done from 1838 to 1842, 1846 to 1853 and 1855 to 186!. 
On every other year some v.ork has been accomplished and with the result of mak- 
ing a very acceptable entrance, to one of the best harbors on the Greut Lakes. 
The total amount expended up to June 30, 1893 was $803,501.80. The work of the 
past year consisted in the extension of the north pier 300 feet and other improve- 
ments. In 1885 a breakwater was made at the neck of the Penninsula, to prevent 
a bi-each, and another was erected at the eastern point to control the sand drift. 
It was found that the latter, would not stand against the violence of the waves, 
and its further establishment was abandoned, although a reserve of $20,000 is held 
ifor needed emergencies. 

The lake was very high in 1813, 1838 and 1858. The lowest records were 1808, 
1818 and 1834. Critical examinations have proven that there are no regular peri- 
ods between the low and high stages. Its sudden rise and fall is caused by strong 
winds from one direction forcing the bulk of surface water to the opposite end of 
the lake. Earthquakes or electrical forces have also created a temporary rise and 
fall at times. 

Layers of calcareous sandstone, 810 feet above the Lake, near Waterford, and 
marine fossils of bivalves, shells and other deep-water organic remains, on the 
ridges, are conclusive evidence of some great upheaval, or change of lake base at 
some remote geological period. 

Coastwise Trade. — The receipts for 1893 were of package freight 20,948 
tons; corn, 5,980,347 bu.; wheat 3,599,858 bu.; rye 191,100 bu.; oats 221.887 bu.; 
barley 156,656 bu.; flour 105.571 tons; flaxseed, 287,427 bu.; iron ore 499,278 ions; 
lumber, 8,562,000 ft.; lath 405,000; stone, 2,362 cords; copper, 1,169 tons-^Shipments 
hard coal, 353,612 tons, soft coal, 71,261 tons; package freight 45.918 tons. 

The year 1893, on account of the financial stringency, showed a heavy decrease 
from the previous year. Wheat, flour and package freight was less than half the 
jr.ecord for 1892. Irofi ore decreased 127.000 tons and several other pi'oducts in 
Jlx'ke ratio. Ashtabula, Cleveland and Fairport are the only ports on lake Erie 
receiving a greater amount of iron ore than Erie and there is no good reason why 
immense furnaces and rolling mills should not be operated here with profit. 

Canal Projects were vigorously discussed early in the century and after 
Fulton's steamboat Clermont commenced making regular trips between New York 
and Albany in 1806, the New York Legislature began to take action regarding a, 



96 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION. 

In the early history of America travel, the two important adjuncts were sub- 
stantial stag-e- coaches and convenient inns. Along the border of the lakes, ba- 
teaux and sail-boats were in use. Presque Isle harbor was a port of refuge for the 
early French and English soldiers and adventurers, but there was no public I'Ouse 
in which to entertain strangers, until Col. Seth Reed built the one-story stone and 
log cabin, near the mouth of Mill creek, in July 1795. The next year Col. Reed 
and his son Rufus S. erected a two-story log building on the southwest corner 
of Parade and Second streets, which was kept as a public houso. for many years. 
Geo. Buehler erected 'i tavern in ISOO and subsequently built a larger hotel at the 
corner of Third and L'\-ench streets. This afterwards becime known as the Mc- 
Conkey House, and w,is occupied as Perry's headquarters in 1813. Lieut. Martin, 
who had been in military c >mmand at Ft LeBcEuf, erected a house of entertain- 
mett in 1795, to accommodate the early pioneers. Richard Swan erected an inn 
at Manchester, in 1805. and Henry Burgett at North East, the following year. 
John Ryan built a public house near the eastern limits of Erie, in 1809; Geo. W. 
Reed at Waterford, in 1810. and Phillips Brothers at Phillipsville the same year. 
Before the advent of railroads, the important stage routes through the County 
had a tavern every few miles and the landloi-ds were usually men of considerable 
force of character. With the advent of railroads, these, excepting at the villages 
and towns, were abandoned as public houses. Further on we shall have some- 
thing to say of the modern hobels in this County. 

The Salt Trade — Early in the century an important business was transacted 
in the transfer of salt, which was manufactured at Salina, N. Y., brought by 
sailing craft to the mouth of Mill creek, taken thence by wagon to Waterford. 
where it was loaded on flat-boats and floated to Pittsburg. In 1806, the Erie cus- 
tom house showed the transfer of 6,000 barrels, and this continued to largely in- 
crease with each year,until the discovery of salt on the Kanawha and Kiskiminitai 
when it became so cheap at Pittsburg as to put an end to its distant transporta- 
tion. The standard pric;? for >:ilt at Salina was 60c. pei- bushel and at Waterford, 
it brought from $12 per barrel in its early history, to $5 in 1818. The price for 
hauling from Erie to Waterford was at first $1.50 per barrel,- which was reduced 
by competition, to one-third that amount, in the latter part of its history. Salt 
v/as a medium of exchange and it is related that Hamlin Russel sold a good yoke 
of oxen for eight barrels. On another occasion Rufus S. Reed purchased a colored 
boy. (who according to the laws of the State was to be in servitude until 28 years 
of age,) fi'om Gen. Kelso, for 100 ban-els of salt: at that t'me worth $5 per barrel. 
\ The idea of carriages propelled by steam, had entered the American inven- 
tive mind, and Gazette IS26 says: '"Steam stages and Wagons will be among the 

products of the near future." Four lines of steamboats were reported fn opc- 

ation between New York and PhiladeliJhia and 1-1 boats were employed on the 
North River at New York. You could leave Philadelphia one morning and 21 
hours later bceakfast at Albany. This was announced as the great achievement 
of that age. In comparing the improvements in travel the Gazette says, "In 18U 
it required from five to seven days for a trip from Bulfalo to Detroit upon the 
lakes, going with fair winds and load. Now the distance is covered in 48 hours. 

C3.nai Projects were vigorously discussed early in the century and after 
Fulton's steamboat Clermont commenced making i-egular trips, between New Yoi'k 
and Albany, in 1806, the New York Legislature began to take action regaidiny a 



PENNSYLVANIA CANALS 97 

waterway from Buffalo to Albany. This however encountered opposition and de- 
lay, but was finally comj)leted Oct. 24, 1825 a distance of 280 miles, and was. except- 
ing- a canal in China, the longest artificial waterway then in the world This cost 
$7,(502,000 for its original construction and contrary to the policy of the Erie and 
•Pittsburg Canal Co., the New York Legislature provided for an enla,rgeraent of 
■their canal, which was completed in 18(36, at a cost of $30, (WO, 000. This canal has 
not outlived its usefulness yet, ae statistics for 1890, disclose the fact that more 
'than one third of all the flour and grain from the west, that reaches the great 
'commercial metropolis of New York, comes by way of the Erie Canal. 

As early as 1781, a company was formed to construct a canal from the Schuyl- 
•kill to the Susquehanna, and another in 1792, to extend this to Philadelphia. 
"These corporations were consolidated in 1811, as the Union Canal Co. aad author- 
■ized to extend the waterway to Lake Erie if deemed expedient. The canal along 
the Schuylkill was opened in 1818 to Reading, and nine years later connected with 
'the Susquehanna at Middletown, by the Union canal. In 182-3, the Legislature 
'appointed canal commissioners among whom was Thomas Forster of Erie. Giles 
'Sftnford of this city was a delegate to the convention at Harrisburg in August, 
582.5. A year later the State embarked in the enterprise and Oct. 1834, the canal 
■•was completed to Pittsburg. The main line extended from Columbia up the Sus- 
quehanna and Juniata to the Allegheny mountains. These were surmounted by 
aid of stationary engines, and incline railway planes, over which sectional canal 
boats were moved and on reaching the summit were run down the Conemaugh, 
Kiskiminitas and Allegheny rivers to Pittsburg. 

The Harrisburg convention of 1825 had resolved, "in favor of a canal from Sus- 
quehanna to the Allegheny and from the Allegheny to Lake Erie"' and the Erie Ga- 
zette of 1826 to further the interest at this terminal point speaks of the wondrous 
growth of this region for its first thirty years of development in the following 
happy strain: "Then the sight of the village was a wilderness, and the In- 
dian path the only guide for the daring traveler. Now it has upwards of a thou- 
sand inhabitants and roads leading to Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburg, three great 
points of intercourse equal to any in the western part of the Union. From these places 
we have 27 arrivals of stages every week, all of which remain over night. From 
Buffalo there are 14 arrivals, fi'om Cleveland ten and from Pittsburg, three. 
In 1823 we had but three arrivals; one a week from Cleveland, in a one-horse wagon; 
each week from Buffalo in a two-horse wagon; and once from Pittsburg in a hack. 
Now there is not a vehicle, enters our village, for the covenience of travelers, but 
post-coaches, with teams equal if not superior, to any in Pennsylvania. 

"In additional to this, three steamboats for the convenience of passengei^s, 
enter and leave our harbor every week, and in a few days there will be five. 
There are also from two to ten schooners which enter and clear our harbor each 
week. What an important point this would be to Pennsylvaiiia, if she would do 
her duty! This unexampled increase of travel and business, owes its existence 
entirely, to tin Now York (Erie) Canal. * * * Pennsylvania is waiting for ex- 
perience. She will soon have more of it than she wants in contracting Philadel- 
phia with New York." 

From contentions regarding the route, and terminal point for the Erie end of 
Hbe Pennsylvania canal, much delay was caused. Ground was finally broken with 
p-reat ceremony at Erie, on July 4th, 1838, for this enterprise. From difficulty in 
ppcuriu'r the nee 'ssary State appropriation the work progressed irregularly and 
filowly and in 1842 the State refused further aid. The principal difficulty encour*- 



100 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

tercd was to secure sufficient water at the highest point on the rente, the 
summit, of the Lake Ridge, and for this purpose Conneaut lake was utilized as a 
reservoir, raised several feet by damming its outlet,and a feeder constructed from 
Bainus mills, on French creek, thi-ee miles above Meadville, to the lake. 

Capitalists were anxious to complete the enterprise, and the Erie Canal Co. 
was organized in 1843. The State had expended more than 4,000,000 and it 
was estimated that about $200,000 more would complete the work. Rufus S. Reed 
was made president and C M. Reed treasurer of the canal company, and by Dec, 
5, 1844 the waterway was opened. Canal boats loaded with coal and pajseageifS' 
were welcomed with great demonstrations at Erie. The canal entered the city 
limits near the Car Works, following the ravine diagonally acress the squares, 
until it reached the bay near the foot of Sassafras street. There were 15 locks 
between the Alms-house and the bay with an average lift of seven feet each. This 
waterway was small compared with the Erie (N. Y.) Canal, the boats averaging 
about 65 tons each. Had it been duly enlarged and made into a "ship canal" of 
proper size, it would have saved to Pennsylvania the great bulk of the iron, coal 
and chI trade, which has since been diverted to other places. 

The coal shipments, via canal, inci"eased f rom 15,000 tons in 1845, to 141.184 in 
1855 after which it decreased somewhat, 1860 showing 129,807 tons; the aggregate 
for first 25 years having been 1,415,367 tons. The tolls for 1860 were $104,336 audi 
$975 for water rent; while the total expenditures, including $17,039, for aqueduct 
over Walnut creek, tiggregated but $70,379. 

Until the completion of connecting lines of railway, the canal was largely 
favored, with inland passenger travel, but was then discarded as too slow; stall a 
good trade was held in handling coal, iron and heavy merchandise, until its aban- 
donment. In its palmiest days, the trans-shipment docks, near the foot of State 
street, presented a busy scene, in the loading and unloading from canal boats to 
schooners and steamers. After the completion of the Erie & Pittsburg RR., 1864, 
as a rival, it was thought expedient to enlarge the canal and use bigger boats. A 
company with this object in view, is reputed to have offered Gen. Reed, a hand- 
some sum for the old canal and its franchise, but about this time it was secured 
by its railroad rival and operated in an indifferent manner, vuitil the fall of 
the aqueduct across Elk ci'eek, in 1871, gave an excuse for its entire adandonment. 
Many boatmen were ruined because their occupation was gone and small mer- 
chants along the line, as well as real estate and trade in general, in the vicinity of 
the canaL suffered greatly from its discontinuance. 

Within a few years past a revival of interest in canals has sprung up in many 
Beotions of the world and Pennsylvania believing that a ship canal from Lake Erie 
to the Ohio, would greatly enhance the commercial intercourse of the interior, 
appointed in 1888 a Canal Commission to make investigations. A route has been 
Burveyed from Erie to Pittsburg and estimates made showing that a canal of suffi- 
olent magnitude, to facilitate the transfer of cargoes, from the lake to the Ohio 
without breaking bulk, could be made for about 25 million dollars. With the im- 
mense amount of iron, coal and other merchandise which could be thereby han- 
dled cheaply, and the tolls received, it is believed that this great waterway would 
be of Immense value to the commercial world. 

Steamboats — The first steamboat for Lake Erie was the Walk-in-the-water, 
310 tons, launched at Black Rock, May 28, 1818. The engine could not foroe tie 
boat up the rapids and it was aided by ten yoke of oxen. She made the trfp li'om 
Buffalo to Detroit in 44 hours running time. The vessel was visited aa a eu^tosi^ 



STEAMBOAT DISASTER 101 

by thousands of people at each or the principal ports. The Inelianfi of the west 
were greatly surprised to see the boat, glide toward the winds, without visible 
means of propulsion. Nov. 1, 1821, this steamer was stranded on the beach at 
Buffalo. A new boat, the Superior was built, and the engiae of the Walk-in-the- 
water was used in the Superior. The Wm. Penn, 200 tons, was launched at Erie, 
May 18, 1826, by the Erie and Chautauqua Steamboat Co. R. S. Reed, P. S. V, 
Hamot, Daniel Dobbins, Walther Smith, E. L. Tinker, Chas. Townsend, Josiah 
Kellogg and Peter Christie were managers of the above company. 

Gen. C. M. Reed launched the Pennsylvania near foot of Sassafrass street in 
1832. She was towed to Black Rock where the machinery was put in. Two yeara 
later he built the Thomas Jefferson, and the James Madison was launched at Erie 
in 1837. The latter carried over 1,000 passenger from Buffalo to this port, on an 
early trip, in addition to a heavy cargo of freight. She was 700 tons burthen and 
cleared her expense of building the first season. The ill fated steamboat "Erie" 
was ei'ected here in 1837 by the Erie Steamboat Co. — Thos. G. Colt andS. I. Jack- 
son—principal owners. The Missouri was built in 1840 by Gen. Reed and the 
Erie purchased by him at out the same time. 

Great Disaster— August 9, 1841, the steamer Erie, Capt. Titus, bearing a 
party of emigrants up the lake, was discovered to be on fire when off Silver Creek. 
Having been newly painted and the wind high, the flames spread with amazing 
rapidity and about 250 persons were lost of whom 26 were residents of Erie. Aug- 
ust Puller of Harborcreek and James Lafferty were wheelsmen and were ordered 
by Capt. Titus to head the boat for the nearest land. Mr. Fuller stood at the 
wheel until completely surrounded by the flames and burned at his post. Lai'r'er- 
ty after discovering that the ropes were burned off, and a wheelsman could be of 
no further assistance, dashed through the flames to the steim and jumped astride 
the rudder. Soon a top-mast burned off, and falling into the sea floated near by 
when he clambered upon it and was one among the score of passengers who wera 
picked up after the fire, by a boat that was sent to their assistance, 

"Capt. Jim Lafferty," as he is familiarly known, was born on the day of 
Perry's Victory — Sept. 10, 1813 — and continued to sail upon the lakes until ad- 
vanced age. Uj was at one time possessed of a competency; but an appetite for 
strong drink has despoiled the brave Captain and he is now an inmate of the 
County alms-house. His mentality is bright when not be-fuddled with alcohol and 
from him, perhaps the only survivor of this memorable holocaust the historian 
has secured some of the foregoing facts. 

Among disasters to lake vessels in past history, we note that May, 14, 1834, 
eleven men le/t the wharf at Erie in a small boat, to board the steamer New York 
lying at the outer pier. The boat capsized and nine were drowned. The steamer 
Washington was burned off Silver Creek, in 1838, and 60 lives lost. The Chesa- 
peake and John Porter collided on the lake, Jun, 10, 1847. The Porter sunk with 
several on board. The G. P. GriffiLh, burned near Chagrin, O. with a loss of 
about 250 souls. The Atlantic collided with another vessel and sunk off Long 
Point in 1852, about 200 j>ersons were drowned. 

Above fifty persons met their death in 1856 by the burning of the Northern 
Indiana. The Morning Star was sunk in 1868 by a collision with the Cortland and 
thirty-two persons lost. We might take up much space with these notable disas- 
ters, but suffice it to say that on the chain of lakes from 200 to 600 persons annual- 
ly perish from lake catastrophes, the larger share being crews of small and un- 
seaworthy vessels with an occasional loss among passenger travel. 



104 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Chicago was first visited by steamboats in 1832. There were no villages OQ 
lake Michi'^^an at that time, and, but a few unimportant trading posts on Huron, 
Superior and Michigan. Four steamers — the Henry Clay, William Penn, Sheldon 
Thompson and Superior — were chartered by the Government, to carry troops and 
supplies to Ft. Dearborn, during the Black Hawk war. The cholera broke out on 
board and two of the boats laid up at Ft. Gi"a iot. On the Thompson 88 
deaths occurred from the pestilence, having been about one-fourth of those on 
board. Capt. A. Walker had command of the boat and Gen. Winfield Scott was 
on board, in command of the troops. 

Lake Commerce— The increase of tonage, upon the lakes was very marked 
until about the time of the late war, since which, in consequence of the multipli- 
city of railroads, and the lack of a ship canal, from Buffalo or Erie, it has some- 
what decreased. In 1800, the entire lake commerce above Niagara, would not 
have aggregated 200 tons burthen. In 1810 there were some ten vessels, of aver- 
age capacity about 60 tons each; this had grown in 1820. to 30 vessels and one 
steamboat a total of 1,600 tons capacity. In 1830 there were ten steamers, averag- 
ing 225 tons each, and 100 sailing vessels of about 70 tons each making a total of 
nearly 10.000 tons capacity. The era of progress had now fairly set in and 1850, 
showed 80 steamers, averaging 200 tons eacb, and nearly 500 sailing craft. The 
marine register for 1860, including lake Ontario, shows the following: 

Style of vessel No. Tonnage. Value. 

Steamers 138 69,160 $2,720,200 

Propellers 197 61,450 2,478,300 

Barks 58 . 23,417 544,200 

Brigs 90 25,047 423,200 

Schooners and Sloops. . .974 198.661 4,489,300 

Total 1,457 377,825 $10,655,200 

By lake disasters in 1860, 578 lives were lost and over a million dollars worth 
of property abandoned to the waves. 

Owned at the port of Presque Isle, for 1860, there was a total for sail vessels, 
licensed and enrolled, of 5,656 tons and of steamboats 2,362 tons making an aggre- 
gate of 8,018 tons capacity at Erie alone. In 1893, there were in commission from 
the port of Erie, 40 steamboats; 10 iron-clad steamers; 3 sail-vessels and one yacht 
registering a total' of 31,204 net tons. One small sail was built here in '93 and one 
lost. The coastwise entrances were 718 and clearances 746. Foreign entrances 
120, clearances 92. 

In connection with lake commerce we should not forget the importance of 
French Creek to the development of this County before the advent of canals 
and railroads. The Gazette of March 1830, reported that 100 flatboats were load- 
ing between Waterford and Meadville. These carried an average of 25 to 30 tons 
each and were loaded with potatoes, hay, staves, shingles, cherry and walnut 
lumber, and various other products. The usual value of a boat and its load was 
about $500. The season's trade between Waterford and Meadville would average 
$100,000 or more, thereby adding largely to the prosperity of the inland section. 
The fur trade of the west largely came eastward by way of the Great Lakes 
until about 1840, when it diverged to the Upper Mississippi, Ohio and other rivers. 
In July 1842, five boats, with buffalo robes, beaver skins and other furs, arrived at 
St. Louis having been 45 days enroute from Ft. Pierre, Dak. the Sioux agency. 

Government Vessels — Erie has been a station for revenue cutters since it 
bscame a custom port. Subsequent to the 1812 war, the revenue cutter Dallas 



LIFE SAVING SERVICE 105 

was in commission here, for some time. The Benjamin Rush of 35 tons was 
launched at this port, in 1828, and was soon afterwards taken to the upper lakes. 
I^Iarch. 1833, a revenue cutter of 62 tons was launched and given the name, of the 
then Secretary of the Treasury, Lewis McLane; but the modest secretary declined 
the honor and ordered the name to be changed to Erie. Six revenue cutters were 
built in 1857, one for each of the lakes. The Jeremiah Black was retained on 
Lake Erie, and for many years was under command of Capt. Douglas Ottinger. 

Capt. Ottinger designed the Commodore Perry, which was built on the Nia- 
gara river in 1864, and which made the brilliant record of 19 miles an hour. She 
was succeeded by the cutter Perry which was removed from Lake Erie, to the 
Atlantic coast in 1893, with the design of proceeding to the Pacific coast in 1894, 
for protection against opium smuggling. 

Life Savings Service — Capt. ottinger invented the Life Car and practical- 
ly had first charge of organizing the service, which has saved so many lives 
from watery graves. He was succeeded in the command at this station by Capt. 
D. P. Dobbins who invented the self-bailing boat and many other life-saving 
appliances. Mr. Dobbins was a son of the well known Capt. Daniel Dobbins, who 
died in Erie in 1856, aged 85. His wife died here Jan. 22, 1879, aged 99 years. 
The son was born here in 1820, and spent a long and useful life mostly in perfect- 
ing life-saving apparatus and superintending the service. The original Life sav- 
ing station, was built on the outer shore of the Peninsula, three miles from the bay 
entrance, 1876. This proved to be inconvenient, and, February 1878, Capt. Dobbins 
had it removed on rollers, to its present site, near the channel. Capt. Dobbins 
died at his home in Buffalo, Aug. 20, 1892. He was succeeded in the Super- 
indendancy of the life-saving service by Capt. Chapman of Buffalo. Capt. Wm.. 
Clark who took charge of the station in 1877, was faithful to his post and did gal- 
lant service in the work of rescue on numerous occasions. 

In the snow storms of Nov. 20-21, 1881, three vessels were driven on shore, three 
miles east of the bay entrance. Two of them were stranded so near to land, that 
the crews escaped, but the third was 200 yards from shore and the crew was com- 
pelled to take refuge in the rigging. On account of the exceeding fury of the 
waves, the life-saving crew crossed the bay to the docks, where their mortar and 
boat was loaded upon a transfer wagon and taken by Lake road to the scene of ac- 
cident. A line was shot over the spars, the breeches buoy arranged, and, by 
which four men and one woman were safely brought to land. They had been in 
imminent peril for twelve hours and had almost perished by spray and cold. 

While attempting to rescue passengers from the Badger State, which was be- 
fogged and swamped a half-mile east of the flash light station, June 4, 1891, the 
life-boat capsized, the air chambers which had been left unplugged filled, and the 
boat failed to right herself. Capt. Clai-k was swallowed up in the angry waves 
and a week later was buried with due Masonic ceremonies. 

Andrew P. Jonson who took charge of the station, after Capt. Clark's death, 
is a native of Sweden and came to America in 1880. Four years later he joinad 
the life-saving's crew. Isolated from the main part of the city, this is a lonesome 
place and Capt. Jonson married that year Johanna Phil, to whom was born Dec. 3, 
1892, a son, who was christened Andrew Josef. Capt. Jonson has 8 men under 
his charge and in three years past, assistance has been given to about 125 people 
in distress; the average of accidents within reach of this station, being about ten 
per year. A new life-boat of English pattern, 26 feet in length was put in, in the 
spring of 1894, and the service here is in fii-st-class order. 



108 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

The U. S. S. Michigan— The Gazette of 1843 has frequent mention of the 
Iron Steam Frigate, the wood work of which was being built here and the iron 
covering shipped in sections from Pittsburg. At that time it was thought to be a 
formidable war vessel. She was finally completed ready for her machinery and 
launched on Thursday, p. m. *Dec. 5, 1843. 

The new boat was christened the Michigan and before receiving her ordnance 
and machinery drew 3 ft. 10 in. She was towed to Buffalo, where her machinery 
and ordnance was put in, when the steamer drew over 8 ft. water. The Michi- 
gan wa? finished and accepted by the Government, Aug. 15, 1844, having now 
been in commision for a half century. The boat is 538 tons burthen and has a com- 
plete armor of iron. The keel is 156 feet and the boat over all measures 176i ft. 
The beam i» 27 ft. and with the original equipment of paddle-wheels the breadth 
was 46 ft. These have since been I'eplaced by a screw of the propeller style. The 
weight of iron in the hull is 236 tons. The steamer was pierced for 12 thirty-two 
pound cannon, and two sixty-eight pound Paixham guns were mounted on pivots. 
Her first commander was Wm. Inman, who had been with Com. Chauncey in the 
war of 1812. J. P. McKinstry served as first Lieutnant and a son of Lieut. Holdup, 
(fSteyens,) as sailing master. In 1860 the machinery was thoroughly overhauled 
and repaired. Two new vertical tubular boilers, of Martin make, superceded 
the old ones, and these were again replaced by new ones in 1«92. 

A thorough examination upon the dry docks at Buffalo, showed the iron hull 
to be in a good state of preservation. Ap)'il 1893, the steamer proceeded to Chica- 
go, where it remained during the World's Fair. She returned to Erie, Nov. 22, 
and was received here with much enthusiasm. The weather was rough, but the 
committee of reception, boarded the boat, and Benj. Whitman as chairman, in be- 
half of the citizens of Erie, extended a cordial welcome to Capt. Berry and his 
crew. Erie has always been considered as the home of the Michigan and since 
its advent here in 1843, some 20 of its officers have married Ei'ie girls. 

An event of more than ordinary interest occured, in 1864. A Confederate 
named Cole, planned to capture the Michigan and release the prisioners, from 
Johnson's Island near Sandusky. The conspirators purchased a small steamer at 
Deti'oit, and with 30 picked men started for the scene of action, Cole who hnd 
been stopping at a high toned Sandusky hotel, disguised as a wealthy oil operator, 
had from time to time dined and wined the subordinates of the Michigan, 
when off duty, and now planned for a grand supper in their honor. The Detroit 
officials were suspiscious that something was wrong and telegraphed Commander 
Carter of the Michigan to lookout for the Philo Parsons. A cautionary dispatch, 
also came from the Secretary of the Navy, and Capt. Carter sent Ensign Hunter 
to Sandutky, with an escort, to arrest the wily Cole. The later was pleased to 
eee the Ensign, and invited him to the proposed supper, but Ensign Hunter per- 
suaded Cole to go with him to the Michigan in order to receive the Commander's 
approval. When once on board the Michigan, he was arrested as a pirate, and 
discovered himself to be in a trap. 

In a letter written by Cole after his capture, he says: "But for the vigilance 
and timely arrival of Capt. Carter, who had been ordered to Washington on official 
business, our plot would doubtless have succeeded. 



*Other historians give the date, Nov. 7, which is incorrect. See Gazette, 1843. 
tLieut. Holdup, by an act of S. C. Legislature, assumed the name of his early 
benefactor, Gen. Stevens, of Charleston, S. C. in 1815. 



LAKE NAVIGATION 109 

The openinof of the canal from Lake Erie to the Ohio river in 1845, formed the 
oonnecting- link by water, from New York to the Ohio Valley, and brought thou- 
sands of emigrants from BufTalo by lake and thence by the new canal to the Ohro. 

From Lake to Rail — After the through connections made by the Lake 
Shore road, in 1853, there was a sudden revulsion in the em'granl trade, and 
steamboats were compelled to rely mainly upon the freight trade or to discon- 
tinue business. 

Mr. Frank Henry, in an article to the Erie Gazette, says: "As late as the year 
1850. there wei-e no railroads in this region of counti-y. The only public means of 
conveyance between the East and West was by stage coaches on land, and steam- 
boats on the lakes during the months of navigation. There were many competing 
lines of steamers, strongly built, fitted up and furnished in princely style, re- 
gardless of expense, and commanded by the most capable and experienced men 
that could be found. The arrival of one of these 'floating palaces' in port was an 
event of more importance and interest than a circus would be in these days. 
Scores of sigiit-seers would crowd the decics and cabins, closely inspecting every 
nook and corner. * * These steamboats all used wood for fuel, and were pro- 
pelled by steam, the exhaust of which could be heard far over the hills on the 
mainland, striking terror to the hearts of timid people who never heard such 
sounds before. The highest ambition of many a country boy was to find employ- 
ment in any capacity on one of these boats. Many of these lake captains were 
very popular with the traveling public, and were better known, either personally 
or by reputation, than many United States Senators of the present day. The boats 
of these favorites were generally crowded to their utmost capacity." 

The first propeller on Lake Erie was the Vandalia, of 150 tons, built at Oswe- 
go and brought through the Welland Canal in 18-42. Two others appeared the 
same season. Propellers have now entirely taken the places of the old-style steam- 
boats, having been found more safe, economical and reliable. 

In an address delivered by Mr. Martin, at Niagara Falls Aug. 1881, he made 
these striking comparisons: 

"In 1855, the average wheat-carrying capacity of a sail vessel was from 16,000 
to 18,000 bushels; in 1865, 25,000 to 30,000 bushels; in 1875, 40,000 to 50,000 bushels; 
and now 50,000 to 70,000 bushels. The largest sail vessel now on the lakes carries 
2,300 tons of freight;" at the present date there are about a dozen "whaleback" 
steamers afl<jat with carrying capacity of 3,000 tons each, and the foui--masted 
schooner D.ivid Dows of same capacity. 

Opening of Navigation— The spring opening at this harbor, varies great- 
ly with the different seasons, usually occurring in Mai'ch or April. In 1829 it was 
reported as open here Jan. 29th, and the season of 1894 was phenomenal in the fact 
that boats could enter or clear from this harbor throughout the entire month of 
January. In 1863 the opening occurred on Feb. 27th. For late openings, we find 
that in 1827, the report was Apr. 24; '36 on Apr. 25; '55 May 10; '56 May 6; '57 
Apr. 27; '77 Api-. 23; '79 Apr. 26; '81 Apr. 27. The average date for opening is 
about Apr. 1st, and season for closing about Dec. 1st, which is sometimes extended 
for two or three weeks later. The revenue cutter Erie, went from this place to 
Buffalo about the last of Dec. 1837, and in the wincerof 1844-5 the Steamer United 
States, made a trip every month between Buffalo and Detroit. This port is gen- 
erally open about two weeks earlier than at Buffalo, on account of the ice drift to 
the Niagara river at the latter place. 



112 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Weather Contrasts — While we are on the subject of weather it may be of 
intei-est to note some of the contrasts. Judah Colt's journal, records, that Janu- 
ary 1799, was so warm that many of the pioneers did their spring plowing. On 
the other hand, May 1834, was notable for cold and snow. From the 10th to loth, 
severe colds west winds prevailed, and on the latter date six-inches of snow fell. 
The storm was so severe that fruit and tender vegetables, g-enerally throughout 
the County, were killed. No boat entered this harbor for four days and it was 
at this time, that the disaster occurred from a small boat, as referred to on a for- 
mer page. In June 1859 a severe freeze killed the fruit and corn, and there are 
several other times when freezing has occurred, in raid summer, in this County. 
On Nov. 10-11, 1835 and Nov. 15, 1842, very severe storms occurred. On the first 
occasion it is reported that the entire sand Vjeach of the Garrison grounds was cov- 
ered with waves. On Oct, 20, 1869 a severe snow storm and cold wave came and 
the mercury fell, in this County, to within 8° of zero by the morning of the 21st. 
Winter continued from this date and a large share of the potato crop remained in 
the ground until spring. For 20 years, the mean Feb. temperature in Erie has 
been 28°. Feb. 1882 gave a mean of 37°, and the opposite extreme, 1875, gave the 
average only 10° above zei-o. it being 16° balow on the 9th. 

The winter of 1880-1 was among the coldest on record here, sleighing contin- 
ued without interruption from Nov. 15, to March 15. On Feb. 3, the mercury 
showed from 20° to 30° below zero at different points in the County. The lake was 
frozen across to the Canada shore, for nearly 3 months; an unusual occurrence. 

Railroads — Tramways and horse-car roads were in use before the beginning 
of this ctiitury, and in 1802 Trevithick took out the first patent ''for adapting a 
steam engine to powers of locomotion," although Watt is said to have invented 
one previously. Several other patents were obtained, but none of practical utili- 
ty until George Stephenson's "Rocket," which was run from Liverpool to Man- 
chester, England, was built in 1829. This, then wonderful locomotive, weighed 
but 7i tons and could draw 44 tons at the rate of 14 miles an hour; Peter Cooper 
built the first American locomotive for the Baltimore & Ohio i^oad in 1830, and the 
same year an engine was built, for the South Carolina Railroad by E. L. Miller at 
New York. The South Carolina road was completed from Charlston to Camden, 
133 miles by 1833, and for several years continued to be the longest road in America. 

Models of an iron highway were referred to in the Erie Gazette of 
1826, as being on exhibition here, but no definite public movement was taken, 
towards securing a raili-oad along the lake shore, until a convention held at Fre- 
donia, N. Y. in 1831, pi-ojected a road from Buffalo to State Line. At that date, 
the laws regarding inter-state commerce were crude and each State acted as a sep- 
arate country. It was understood that Pennsylvania would build aline, through 
Erie County, to connect with her sister states on either side. C. M. Reed. P. S. 
V. Hamot and Thos. Sill, were consulting delegates from this County. Eleven 
years intervened during which railroads had been put in operation, in several 
states, and Apr. 12, 1842, the Erie & North East R. R. was incorporated with au- 
thorized capital of $5,000,000. Four years latei- this was reduced to $600,000. 
Among the most active workers were C. M. Reed, John A. Tracy, John H. Wal- 
ker and Giles Sanford. Mr. Reed was chosen president and Giles Sanford secre- 
tary, when the subscription books were formally opene(»l in Jan. 1847. Wm. Kelly, 
Henry Caldwell, A. W. Brewster, James Williams and Milton Courtright were 
made directors. Surveys were completed, contracts let and grading commenced 
by July 1849, Two oumpuaies had been fovmed in "York State," to build on near- 



THE RAILROAD WAR IVi 

ly parallel lines, from Buffalo to State Line, one on 6-feet gauge and the other 
4 feet 8i inches. Thjse each made contracts with the Erie & N. E. R. R., but 
subsequently compromised upon a 4 ft. 10 in. basis and decided to build but one 
line. As a terminal point, where bulk had to be broken, would necessitate keep- 
ing- numerous laborers, it was thought to be of great advantae^e and the Erie & N. 
E. R. R. was completed Jan. 9, 1852, on the original plan, with a 6-feet gauge. 

The Franklin Canal Co., incorporated Apr. 27, 1844, by virtue of a supple- 
ment to its charter, granted Apr. 9, 1849, secured the right to extend from Erie 
to Pittsburg and from Erie to Conneaut Ohio. Through the efforts of John Gal- 
braith, Alfred Kelly, and others, this was constructed from Erie to Conneaut in 
1852, and the first through connection from Erie to Ashtabula was Nov. 23, of that 
year, a banquet having been held at Brown's Hall on the return. As the law then 
stood roads from the East must have 6 ft.or 4 ft. 8i gauge and from theWest4 ft. 10 
in., which necessitated the breaking of bulk here and again at State Line, N. Y. 
This made extra charges, delay and serious inconvenience to shippers, and Nov. 
17, 1853 an agreement was effected, by which the Erie & N. E. R. R. Co. was to 
change its track to a 4 ft. 10, gauge thereby permitting of through traffic from 
Buffalo to Cleveland. 

The Railroad War— The announcement of the contemplated change, 
created great indignation among the misguided people of this County, 
who believed that this would defeat their hopes of making Erie the western ter- 
minus of the New York & Erie Railway. The indignation culminated in an organ- 
zed mob, which resolved to defeat the change of gauge and Dec. 7, 1853, they 
tore down the new bridges over State and French streets and removed the rails 
from every crossing. On the same day the track was torn up, in several places, 
in the vicinity of Harbor creek. While the railroad employes were replacing 
the rails at Harbor creek, three weeks later, the citizens again made dem- 
onstrations, when a train conductor fired upon them with a pistol and two citi- 
zens were slightly wounded. The subsequent excitement was very great. But 
few persons took sides with the railroad company, the large majority treating 
their employes as common enemies. This was even carried into political lines 
and resulted in the election of Democrats to the Legislature, from this Whig dis- 
tict. For two months the railroad company's plans were defeated and passen- 
gers and freight had to be transferred from Harbor creek to Erie by stages and 
wagons. This great obstruction to transportation and traffic, subjected our 
County and citizens to just criticism and innumerable curses from the general 
public. Hostilities continued at intervals for neai'ly two years, during which time 
the interposition of the courts and State militia, were required upon several dif- 
ferent occasions. 

Philadelphia & Erie— As early as 1830 a road from Erie over the Alleghe- 
nies, and down the Susquehanna was projected. Work was commenced, from 
Sunbury eastward inl833,but later abandoned on account of the money depression. 
For the next dozen years the principal theme in Erie, was canals. The Pennsyl- 
vania Raili'oad Company, incorporated in 1846 was granted a charter to Erie, but 
this branch was never built. 

The Sunbury & Erie was chartered in 1837 and the survey made 1838-9- 
Further developments remained dormant until 1853; when Philadelphia sub- 
scribed $l,000,000.towards its completion, Erie City $300,000 and this County $200,- 
000. Erie city also d nated 150 water lots, for dock accommodation. With the 
subscription from the Cleveland & Erie Co. of 500,000 and the State taking $3,500,- 




ERIE CITY HALL 




LAYING LASTSPAN ON NICKLE PLATE OVER WALNUT CREEK 




ORE DOCK 



116 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

000 of the bonds, the Erie & Sunbury commenced active work, and by Dec. 1854, 
were running from Milton to Williamsport, wliere connections were made 
with the Catawissa railroad. 

The section from Erie to "Warren was completed in Dec. 1859, and the name 
of the road was changed to the Philadelphia & Erie in the spring of 1861. The ad- 
veat of the war alarmed many of the stockholders, and fearing that they would 
be unable to complete and equip the road, in 1862, it was leased to the Pennsylva- 
nia Railroad Co., for a term of 999 years. The work was not fully completed from 
Warren to Williamsport until Oct. 1864. The event was celebrated by a 
through ti'ain from Philadelphia, with a large party of excursionists, and a ban- 
quet was given in their honor by the City of Erie, costing $3,000. 

From Erie to Kane is 941 miles; Kane to Renovo 101 miles, Renovo to Simbury 
92i. At the latter place direct connections are made with the Northern Central, 
making the distances by this route from Erie, to Harrisburg 341 miles; Baltimore 
425; Philadelphia, 446; Washington, 468; New York, 537. 

Lake Shore Railroad — In 1854, the Supreme Court annulled the charter to 
the Franklin Canal Co. road, from Erie to Conneaut. The stock had principally 
been secured by the Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula Co. and a new charter 
was granted in 1855, from the Pennsylvania Legislature, to that corporation, upon 
condition that it extend its tracks to the bay front at Erie, subscribe $500,000 
towards the completion of the Sunbury & Erie R. R. and retain three citizens of 
this State perpetually upon its board of directors. The charter of the Erie & 
North East Co. was revoked in 1855; but restored the following year upon the cor- 
poration subscribing $400,000 towards the building of a road from Pittsburg to Erie. 
A few years later the Erie & North East was consolidated with the Buffalo & 
State Line road making the Buffalo & Erie. The consolidation of the several 
western roads in 1869, made a through management, from Erie to Chicago, known 
as the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, and, into this organization, the Buffa- 
lo & Erie was merged. 

While the track was originally 4 ft 10, it has been gradually narrowed to the 
standard gauge which is 4 ft. 8i in. The grades through this county are very 
light, but sevei'al deep ravines had to be trestled, and these, have since been filled 
by solid embankments. The fill at Twenty Mile creek is 102 feet high by 400 in 
length; Sixteen Mile creek 40x800; Walnut creek 106x800; Elk, 11. ".x 1,400 and 
Crooked creek 45x500. Iron bridges span State and French streets, Four and Six 
Mile creeks. The main line of the Lake Shore is 540 miles. With branches and 
proprietary roads it aggregates 1,443 miles. The construction and equipment of 
this vast system costs about $100,000,000. 

The gross earnings in 1892 were $22,000,000 and the cost of operation and tax- 
es neai'ly $16,000,000. The gross earnings in 1870, the year following the consoli- 
dation, were about $13,500,000 and the expenses $8,400,000 upon 1,013 miles oper- 
ated. The tonage moved in 1870, was nearly 3,000,000 tons, or 574,000,000 tonS 
moved one mile. In 1892 over 13,500,000 tons were moved, equivalent to 2,435,000,- 
000 tons moved on mile, for which the reciepts were less than 6 mills per ton por 
mile, while in 1870 the receipts were over 15 mills per ton per mile (1.504). A 
large increase in passengers carried has been made; from 2,000,000 in 1870 to near- 
ly 6,000,000 in 1892. To accomplish this increase, the equipment has been in- 
creaed from 299 engines in 1870, to 584 in 1892; 247 passenger cars in 1870, to 376 
in 1892; 6,077 frieghtcars in 1870 to 21,084 in 1892. 



THE RAILROADS OP ERIE 117 

In 1870 there were 30} miles of second track on the whole line Buffalo to Chi- 
cago; there is now 489,06 miles and 7.71 miles of third track, and there remains 
only 30 miles of second track to be laid to make a double track by this line from 
Buffalo to Chicago. The sidings have been increased from 238.86 miles in 1870 to 
675.74 miles in 1892. 

J. C. Spencer, secretary of the Erie & North East Co. reported that while the 
track was torn up, from Dec. 7, 1853, to Feb. 1, 1854; the transfer of passengers, 
freight and express, cost $17,000. On the part of the railroad, he claimed that 
the New York companies had broken faith, in making the line from Dunkirk to 
State Line 4 ft. 10 in., instead of the broad guage 6 ft. or the medium 4 ft. 8i in. 
He says "much cotnplaint is justly made on account of the unnecessary obstruc- 
tions, and none regret their existence more thaji this company. It was not in the 
power of the company to prevent them and is therefore out of its power to remove 
them. It is thought, by some of our friends in Buffalo and Cleveland, that Con- 
gress in the exercise of its power to establish post I'oads, may remove such nui- 
sances." 

Erie & Pittsburg — This road was chartered in 1856, by parties who were 
interested in the Erie & North East Railroad Company. Meadville and 
Conneautville both desired to be on the route and a sharp rivalry sprang up along 
each proposed line, resulting in a victory for the Conneautville route. With 
$400,000 secured from the E. & N. E.R. R. and other funds from the stockholders, 
the road was graded from where it connects with the Lake Shore, a little west of 
Miles Grove, to Jamestown in Mercer, Co., a distance of 40 miles, and part of the 
rails laid. The Buffalo & Erie Co., in 1859, completed the construction to James- 
town, and five years later the extension was made to New Castle, where it con- 
nects with the Pennsylvania Company. The extensive coal and iron ore docks at 
Erie were erected in 1863, and the round house two years later. The late W. L. 
Scott of Erie, was president of the road for over 20 years, prior to his decease Sept. 
24,1891, and under his shrewd business management, it became an important road. 
It was originally operated by the Lake Shore and Mar. 24, 1870 was leased to the 
Pennsylvania Railroad Company for 999 years, this agreement having a year later 
been transferred to the Pennsylvania Company, a separate organization from the 
Penn'a Railroad, created to operate the lines west of Pittsburg. The lessee 
agreed to pay the interests on its bonded indebtness and a 7 per cent dividend up- 
on the two million dollars capital stock. In 1881, the headquarters of the E. & P. 
was moved from Erie to Youngstown. The elevation above the sea at Summit is 
1,141 ft., Greenville, 984; Sharon, 853; New Castle, 802. The heaviest grade is 
about 50 ft. to the mile, near Conneautville. 

The extensive connections of the Penn'a Co., and the magnitude of its opera- 
tions are worthy of note. It has over 2,500 miles of lines, reaching a thousand 
stations, connecting with 90 railroads and 90 coal mines. Pittsburg is its terminus 
on the East; St. Louis on the West; Louisville on the South; and Erie on the North. 
It also has terminals at Waynesburg, Benwood, Bellaire, Cadiz, New Cumber- 
land, Springfield and Cincinnati in Ohio; Madison. New Albany and Vincennes in 
Indiana; and passing through Mansfield, Ft. Wayne, Logansport, Indianapolis, 
Richmond, Columbus, Wheeling. Youngstown and many other impoi'tant cities. 
The earnings for 1892 were $138,974,520, and gross expenses including rental, divi- 
dends, interest, etc., $98,352,083. The number of tons of freight carried was 141,- 
371. 640. equal to 13,457,038,366 tons for one mile. The passengers carried w*iro 
89,699,341, and miles of travel aggregating 1,758,907,322. There are many other 
facts which might be given in connection with this stupendous system, but space 
forbids extended mentioa. 




RESIDENCE VIEW, CORRY 




BUSINESS BLOCKS 




GOVERNMENT BUILDING 



120 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Nickel Plate— The sui^vey for the New York Chicago & St. Louis Ry., fa- 
miliarly known as the Nickel Plate, commenced late in February 1881, and grad- 
ing began in June following. The construction was pushed through in a spacj of 
time, that has never been surpassed by a road of equal length, and by the last of 
August 1882, through trains were runnirig from Bulfalo to Chicago. The original 
syndicate subscribed $15,000,000, which was increased $7,000,000 before the cnu- 
pletion of construction. The actual cost of the road and its equipment, is said to 
have been $28,000,000. By this route, which for half its distance lies nearly pai-- 
allel with the Lake Shore, it is but 524 miles, from Buffalo to Chicago. A lew 
months after it began service, the Nickel Plate was purchased by Vanderbilt and. 
other stockholders of the Lake Shore. Although run under a separate man:go- 
ment, the Nickel Plate practically operates in uni on with the Lake Shore. The 
right of way on Nineteenth sti^eet was granted to this company through Erie. 
The P. & E. R. R. would not allow this iron highway to intersect that road at 
grade, and the Nickel Plate was compelled to erect an expensive trestle. 

Most of the deep gulches along this line are spanned by substantial iron via- 
ducts. We present herewith an illustration of the laying of the last span across 
"Walnut creek, in this County. The gulch is 80 feet deep and length 870 feet. 

Western N. Y. & Penn'a — In 1862, the Oil Creek RaUi'oad, was completed 
from Corry to the Mi'ler Farm and three years later its principal stock purchased 
by a New York syndicate. This was later extended to Petroleum Centre and Oil 
City. The Cross Cut w?s constructed from Corry to Bi-octon in 1867. After the 
equipment of the Nickel Plate, privilege was leased on that line making through 
connections from Buffalo to Pittsburg, Rochester, Emporium and other points. 
The system, known as the Western N. Y. & Penn'a, has about 700 miles. It in- 
cludes the Union & Titusville branch, which was originated in 1865, by James Sill 
and P. G. Stranahan of Union City. 

New York Pa. & Ohio— This road, originally known as the Atlantic & Great 
Western was completed to Corry, in June 1861, and the following year extended 
to Meadville. It was built as an extension to the Erie Railway, connecting 
with that road at Salamanca, N. Y. The track originally a six-feet guage was 
changed to standard in 1885. The original name was changed in 1882 to that of 
New York Pennsylvania & Ohio and March 1883, it was leased to the New York 
Lake Erie & Western, for 99 years. It is one of the great trunk lines, and con- 
trols a fair share of patronage. The road has been of much importance in devel- 
opment of the southeastern portion of this County. 

Erie City Passenger Railway Company -An act of the Legislature 

chartering the above Company, was approved March 1st, 1867, which provided, 
among other things, that this company, before commencing to run their cars up- 
on State street, should purchase the stock of omnibuses, sleighs, horses and 
harness owned by and used upon the South Erie Omnibus Line, at a price to ba 
fixed by arbitration. W. W. Reed is and has been, for many years, President of 
this Company, and among the incorporators were G. F. Brevellier, Dr. Brandes, 
Colonel J. H. Bliss, Phillip Becker, Milton Courtright, David S. Clark, W. A. 
Crawford. E. Camphausen, John Eliot, F. F. Farrar, Jonas Gunnison, A. H. Gray, 
Wm. A. Galbraith, John Gensheimer, John B. Gunnison, M. Hartlieb, August 
Jarecki. Selden Marvin. Dr. W. E. Magill, Prescott Metcalf, Joseph McCarter. 
Orange Noble. Richard O'Brien. Charles M. Reed. Wm. F. Rindernecht, H. C. 
Shannon, Hon. James Sill, Geo. W. Starr, Benj. Whitman, John H. Walker and a 
number of other prominent citizens of Erie. 



ERIE EU^:CTRTC MOTOR CO 121 

The line from the foot of State Street to 26th Street was laid in 1863 and in 
1883 West Eig-hth street and East Eleventh streets were built; in 1885 East 
Eighteeenth street was added, and in 1888 the 

Erie Electric Motor Company wasorganized with General J. S. Casement 
of Painesville, Ohio, Pres. and S. T. Everett, Vice Pres. This organization leased 
the lines of the old company, took up all the tracks which had formerly been in 
operation and laid new rails. On the 29th day of June, 1889, the first electric car 
appeared on the streets of Erie. The brick barn and car house at the corner of 
State and Second streets was remodeled into an electric plant and power house; 
equipped with four 75 HP. dynamos and two 150 HP. boilers. The next year the 
"Head"' line was built to Trinity Cemetry and the year following it was extended 
down through the Marshall ravine to the grounds near Massasauga Point Hotel. 

This company, has, from time to time, added new lines and today the city is 
nearly grid-ironed with an electric road. In the winter of 1891 the company com- 
menced building their present Power House at the foot of Peach street which was 
completed and put in use in the summer of 1892. The demand for power had been 
so greatly increased by reason of additional cars and extensions of lines that two 
250 HP. dynamos and an additional 500 HP. engine, together with three 200 HP. 
boilers were added. The Power House has at present in use 1,000 HP. This 
Power House is said to be one of the best of its size in the country. The company 
has increased its original stock from thirty to eighty-seven cars, which include 
both summer and winter outfit. There are few cities which enjoy a double equip- 
ment, of summer and winter cars, in many of the larger cities only closed cars be- 
ing used. The horse cars that were in best condition were reserved by the com- 
pany and placed at the intersections of lines for use as transfer cars or waiting 
rooms. A fair idea of the improvement that has taken place in our street cars 
within the last few years can be noticed by comparing the waiting cars with the 
present electric motors, well lighted and heated and with fully double the ca- 
pacity of the old ones. Theie is probably no other improvement in the history of 
Erie that has added as great an increase to its worth, comfort and prosperity as 
the Erie Electric Motor line. There is not a person who owns a foot of real es- 
tate in the city of Erie who has not felt a direct benefit by reason of the increase 
to the value of his property. In addition to this, every person, whether owner of 
real estate or not, has received proportionate benefit through the ease, comfort 
and rapidity with which he can travel to and from any portion of the city. 

Distances by Lake — from Erie, to the principal lake ports are as follows: 

Alpena, on Huron, 578. Marquette, on Superior, 694. 

Bay City, on Huron, 407. Milwaukee, on Michigan, 762. 

Buffalo, on Erie, 79. Port Sarnia, on Huron, 252. 

Chicago, on Michigan, 827. Sandusky, on Erie, 150. 

Cleveland, on Erie, 100. Sault Ste. Marie, Superior, 534. 

Copper Harbor, on Superior, 727. Superior City, on Superior, 933. 

Detroit, on Detroit River, 188. Saginaw, on Huron, 422. 

Duluth, on Superior, 933. Toledo, on Erie, 197. 

Hamilton, on Ontario, 130. Toronto, via Welland Canal 126. 

In the month of December, 1865, '75 and '93 the mercury registered above 70°. 
The winter of 1881-2 was remarkable for its mildness, the bay having scarcely 
been coated with ice. The preceding and following winters were very sevce, 
the ground in Apr. '83 having been found frozen to a depth of H feet in Erie city. 
There have been many remarkable contrasts, which we have not space to mention. 




M>ENNERCHOR HALL 




SIXTH STREET EAST OF MYRTLE 




JEWISH SYNAGOGUE 




MINTH AT SASSAFRAS. LOOKING EAST 



124 Erie county history. 

Public Buildings — Handsomest among the public edifices in Erie, is the im- 
posing Government building which was completed in 1888. In 18-44, Congress ap- 
propriated $27,000 for a building in Erie and the United States Bank build- 
ing, on State street below Fifth, was purchased. This served as a custom house 
and post office until 1853, when the latter required larger quarters, and was for 
many yeai's kept in the Reed House block. In 1882, Congressman Brainerd se- 
cured the passage of an act appropriating $150,000 for the erection of a public 
building here and this was later increased to $250,000. The site of the old R. S. 
Reed mansion, State street above the Park, was secured for $36,000 and work was 
commenced in 1885. 

The basement is of Maine granite and superstructure of Amherst, O. sand- 
stone, and everything has been put together in the most perfect order. The base- 
ment contains the steam heating plant and gives lai'ge additional storage room. 
The first floor is occupied entirely by the post office, and for beauty of finish, 
adaptability to its purpose and convenience of light it has no superior in the 
State. The U. S. customs, collectors, commissioners and district attorney's offi- 
ces occupy the second floor; court, jui*y and judges rooms the third floor and the 
fourth floor is taken by the U. S. signal service. It has a convenient observation 
tower and is fully furnished and fitted with all necessary appliances. 

The building fronts 11-4 ft. on the Park and 72 ft. on State street. The entire 
sti'ucture is fire proof,and lai-ge vaults for the postal service give additional secur- 
ity. The wainscoating is of variegated marble and the building from basement to 
dome elegantly fitted and furnished. In 1893 a convenient passenger elevator 
was erected, which adds greatly to the ease of reaching the upper stories. In Ju- 
ly 1887, while the building was being erected, Andrew Guenther and Mai'k Shan- 
non, two of the workmen fell from a giddy height and were instantly killed. 

City Hall — The plans for the City Hall were made by D. K. Dean and the 
corner stone laid with Masonic ceremony in July 1884. D. McDonald laid the 
foundations, Donnelly Brothers erected the superstructure, towers and roof, and 
Bauschard Brothers had charge of the inside finishing. The building fronts 121ft. 
on Peach street and 64 ft. on the Park. It is 156 ft. from foundation to top of the 
tower and 88 feet from the top of the basement to the center ridge of the 
roof. The basement is occupied in the south end, by the police department, com- 
prising large office rooms and 16 cells, for temporary confinement of prisoners. 
The north end has offices for the city engineer, street supervisors and health de- 
partment. The first floor has elegant apartments for the Mayor, city treasurer, 
controller, and water commissioners; while the second floor furnishes ample ac- 
commodations for council chambers, city clerks and other offices. The third floor, 
still incomplete, has two large halls, rooms for the fire department, committee 
rooms, etc. The main portion of the building is of brick, with brown stone trim- 
mings while the windows and transoms are large and artistic and 
are of handsome cathedral glass. The cell floors are solid stone and sides 
are boiler iron, the front being open cage work. The hall floors are Mosaic mar- 
ble woi'k and all the fittings of highly polished hard wood making a very substan- 
tial and handsome structure throughout. When completed the building and fur- 
nishings will have cost nearly $200,000. 

This building, of which we present an illustration elsewhere, is very conven- 
ient, appropriately fitted and a credit to the municipality. It will long remain as 
a monument to Erie's progressive growth and when fully completed will afford de- 
partments for all municipal offices, which will be needed for decades to come. 



SOLDIERS & SAILORS HOME 125 

Soldiers and Sailors Home— in June, 1884, the Legislature of Pennsyl- 
vania resolved to redeem the pledge which this State had made, a score of years 
before, to care for the unfortunate and infirm soldiers who had gone forth from 
tLe Keystone Commonwealth in war's dark hour to battle with the foes of our 
common country. The uncompleted "Marine Hospital" was accepted as a nucleus 
and the Soldiers and Sailors Home of Pennsylvania was dedicated with appropri- 
ate ceremonies on the 22d of February, 1887. It is a fitting place for the heroes who 
occupy the premises, from its commanding position overlooking the mouth of the 
harbor, having been selected by the French in 1753 as the location for Fort Pres- 
que Isle. It was made sacred by the death and burial here of the famous Indian 
warrior, General Anchony Wayne, in December, 1796, was used as a camp ground 
by the soldiers of 1812-15, and has been occupied as a garrison for scores of years. 
The plat contains about 109 acres, more than half of which is on the bluff. The 
sand beach from its swampy condition was a few years since considered to be of 
little value, but Commander Tyson ?.nd the members of the Home, by arduous la- 
bor, have cleai'ed, drained and raised protecting levees, excavated and filled 
me^ny thousands of yards of dirt, and a considerable portion of the beach is now 
under cultivation, raising luxui-iant crops, while the remainder makes excellent 
pasturage for the cows and horses required by the occupants of the Home. The 
sand beach has thus been changed from a swamp to a very valuable garden and 
dairy lands. 

The original front was C6xlf 3 feet, thi'ee stories and basement, with a wing 
extending westward 40x130 feet and a shorter central extension for chapel. Addi- 
tions have b'=ien made on three sides and there are now over 140 rooms with a ca- 
pacity for 600 members. The dining room is 44x100 feet, seating 500 persons at 
t'lble. The infirmary, completed in 1889 is 30x130, two sbjries, and supplied with 
the latest approved appliances and surgical aids. This is connected to the main 
building by a corridor 180 feet long, which is used as a conservatory, and at all 
seasons has an ample supply of rare and beautiful flowers and foilage which are so 
acceptable to the sick or convalescent. 

The Home has no guards, nor high fences to restrain its family, but all are 
expected to conform to proper regulations. The total membership of the Home 
January 1894 was 400; several were absent on a visit to friends. During the year 
from Jan. 1, 1893 to Jan 1, 1894 there were 45 deaths, several of whom were much 
enfeebled on admission. The average stay at the Home is two and one-half years, 
a fair share regaining health and returning to their own support. Number of 
Pen'^ioners presept January 1, 1891, was 241. Average rate per month, $9.18. 
Up to Jan. 1, 1894, total number of admissioiis had been 1,580; total number of re- 
admissions, 188. Total number of dea'hs in the Home, 213; total number of deaths 
away from the Home, so far as information received, 111. Five nurs3R, two cooks, 
one farmer and general foreman, one baker, one barber, one florist, are employed; 
all the other labor is done by the members. The value of the premi-^es is about 
$500,000, and improvements are being made each year. 

Religious services are held in the chapel every Sunday afternoon by some of 
Erie's resident pastors and a regular chaplain lectures on each Thursday evening, 
Members who desire to have a church pass on Sabbath are allowed to attend ser- 
vices with the denomination of their choice in the city. 

The grounds surrounding the buildings have undergone a wonderful transfor- 
mation during the past seven years and are now interspersed with walks, lawns, 
flower beds and young trees, which will soon make of the whole one beautiful park. 




CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 




DOWN PEACH AT16TH. 




NINTH WEST OF SASSAFRAS 




EIGHTH WEST OF WALNUT 



128 



ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 



There are no rigid military regulations, but each veteran is placed upon his 
honor and required to so conduct himself as r,o not bring reproacli upon the Home. 
The law of kindness is the governing princi;)le; but those who will not heed kind 
admonitions and who become unruly or whose actions tend to demoralize good 
government, are after due trial dishonorably discharged from the institution. 

The commander, Maj. W. W. Tyson, appears to be the right man in the right 
place. He is a zealous worker and looks upon the members of the Home as his 
family. The major is a native of Pittsburg, was captain of a company in the 45th 
Pa., (Gov. Beaver's Regiment), in which he made an honorable record. He has 
been commander of the Home since its opening, and to his arduous labors, 
supported by a progressive corps of trustees, may be attributed the successful man- 
agement of the institution, the beautifying of the grounds, the gi'eat saving of 
the sand beach, and sanitary advancement by turning the course of Garrison Run 
into the lake instead of allowing it to empty into the bay. 

Capta'n N. W. Lowell, who was elected as Quartermaster March 1, 1888, 
went from Erie to the service in 1861 and served throughout the war. He enlisted 
as private, earning a promotion to lieutenancy and regimental quartermaster. 
Since the war he has served 22 years as depot aa'ent for the American Express 
here. Quartermaster Lowell is an earnest worker, willing to do his share in any 
position. He is secretary of the re-oi'gauized liith Pa. Vols. 




COAL AND ORE DOCKS. 



ERIE HOSPITALS 129 

Light Houses— We quote from Miss Laura G. Saaford's revised history th« 

following regarding ligiit houses: 

"On tbe mainland just within the eastern limits of the city is the land light- 
house site, which has been occupied since 1818. The Srst structure cost $3,000. 
In 1858 a new tower was built of Milwaukee brick. The foundation proved defec- 
tive and ifl 1886 it was replaced by oee built of Berea stone at a cost of $33,000. To 
secure a solid foundation an excaration twenty feet deep was made and filled with 
Portland cement, oak timber, and fiaely broken lime stoae. On this bed courses 
of stone were placed aggreg-atisg eig-ht feet in thickness. It is sixty-seven feet in 
height froaa the water table to the focal plane of the leas, and one hundred and 
twenty-seven feet above the lake's leyel. The lens was manufactured in Paris and 
cost $7,000 when delivered in New York. It is a fixed white light and can be seen 
seventeen nautical miles. Mineral oil is used in the lamps. In 1880, on the recom- 
mendation of CoaamanderG. W. Howard, U. S. N., Inspector of the Tenth Light- 
house District, notwithstanding maiay protests, the light was discontinued, and 
the same year the property was sold for $1,800. The next session of Congress or- 
dered its repurchase and re-establishment as a light. 

In 1828 an octagonal wooden tower was erected on east end of the pier at the 
harbor entrance, and fish oil used for the lamps. This was carried away by a 
schooner being thrown against it in a gale ^n 1857. In 1858 a cast iron skeleton 
tower weighing nineteen tons was erected. Lard oil was then us d and the lamps 
were the best. In 1880 this tower was take:^ down and transf.-rr d to the extreme 
end of the pier, which had been lengthened 2,000 feet. The light had been fixed 
white and was changed to fixed red, and was visible eleven miles — mineral oil be- 
ing used. In 1830 a keeper's dwelling was o'ected but was destroyed by fire in 1841 
and a lai'ger one erected. In 1858 a neat residence was erected on the beach. In 
1878 a fog bell weighing 1,200 pounds was placed on the pier near the lighthouse, 
but has been of no practical value to the merchant service. 

The Flash lighthouse is a modern square tower of brick, with a convenient 
keeper's dwelling attached. It was erect in 1872 on the north shore of the penin- 
sula at a cost of $15,000. The light, varied with red and white flashes, is inside 
of a fourth order lens, aad is said to be the finest in the lighthouse service. Be- 
ing isolated and on the sand with a background of evergreen, it presents a pic- 
turesque appearance as seen from passing vessels. The keepers of lighthouses 
must not be over fifty years of age, and they are not subject to removal when a 
change of administration occurs." 

St. Vincent's Hospital— This hospital is under the charge of the Sisters of 
St. Joseph, and presided over by Sister Afiabrosia, assisted by a large corps of well- 
trained nurses. It was established and the building that is now occupied at the 
corner of Twenty-fourth and Sassafras streets erected, in 1875. The building is 
airy, well-lighted and ventilated, and fitted with all the appliances and furniture 
necessary for such an institution, It is large, substantial, and conveaiently ar- 
ranged, being of brick, three stories high, besides basement. Dr. J. L. Stewart, 
was physician- in-charge until h« tendered his resignation, and Dr. J. E. Silliman 
succeeded. The present i>hysicians in charg^e are Drs. C. W. Strannahanand J. J. 
Finnerty; but any reputable physician is allowed to serve his patients at this hos- 
pital. This institution although in chai-ge of the Sisters of St. Joseph, is free to the 
afflicted of any religious persuasion and has never refused to open its doors to the 
suffering when there was room to accommodate. It has done a noble work and is 
worthy of due consideration from a generous public ^ 



132 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Home for The Friendless — Erie lias an enviable record for the support of 

charitable institutions, and the Home for the Friendless is one among' the most 
worthy. To Wm. M. Arbuckle, deceased, should be accredited the startingf move- 
ment. Other genei'ous gentlemen were interested in the matter, and it was taken 
in hand by Miss Laura G. Sanford, who circulated a petition to effect its 
permanent establishment, secured the signatures of thirty prominent ladies 
and took the necessary legal steps which led to its having been in- 
corporated in 1871. Gen. Chas. M. Reed, a short time before his death, granted 
the willing workers who had undertaken so momentous a problem as that of car- 
ing for the homeless, the use of his former mansion, then standing where the 
Government building now does. This was soon found to be too small and the 
Homeless Family were removed to the Marine Hospital, now Soldiers' Home. In 
1875 Morrow B. Lowry presented the managers with the lot and original building 
now occupied at the corner of 22d and Sassafras, but it not being large enough 
for the family of 40, Mrs. I. B. Gara, the president, undertook an enlargement, 
and through her arduous work, able assistants and the generous public, it was 
completed in Feb., J 876. Four year later Hon. Wm. L. Scott donated $5,000 
as an endowment. In 1881 Hon. Prescott Metcalf made a donation of 50 foot ad- 
joining lot, and the property as it now stands is worth about $35,000, making a 
comfortable home for 75 children. The Old People's Home belongs to the same 
management, on an adjoining lot, and with its building was purchased from M. 
A. Dunning in 1884 for $5,000. But a small portion was at first paid, and in 
order to economize, the building was rented for a time as a dwelling. Unknown 
to the managers, the kind-hearted Col. Ellsworth started a subscription, and after 
many weeks of personal labor paid off a debt of over $3,000 so that Sept. 8, 1887, it 
was opened, free of debt as the Old People's Home. The Home for the Friendless 
has a well earned title and has proven to be a good home for hundreds of waifs 
who have been placed under its hospitable roof. The officers stand high in our 
city and the Home deserves a liberal encouragement from a generous public. 

The endowment bonds, from the late W. L. Scott, is drawing interest of 1i 
per cent, making a revenue of $375 per year. The Home owns the entire front 
from 22d to 23d streets on Sassafras and a depth of 165 feet. Mrs. Gen. Reed was 
elected first president but resigned and was succeeded by Mrs. I. B. Gara who 
served four years. Miss Kate M. Mason filled the position with special honor for 
fourteen years and about the time of her decease, in 1890, Miss Sarah Reed, the 
present incumbent was elected. The secretaries have been Mrs, W. W. Dinsmore, 
Mrs. G. N. Johnson, Mrs. Ellen Catlin and Mrs. Louise W. Shirk, the later having 
performed the duties of scribe for thirteen years past. Regular meetings of the 
managers are held on the first Tuesday of each month, when any business ofi in- 
portance. regarding the institution is taken in consideration. 

Harriot Hospital— The heirs of P. S. V. Hamot on the ninth day of April, 
1881, conveyed to a corpoi-ation, for the purpose of opening a general hospital, the 
large and substantial building, with lot of land 216 feet on State street by 165 feet 
on Front street, and 106 feet on Second street. The valuation of this property at 
that time was placed at $12,000, and the gift is a magnificent one, being a chari- 
table as well as a public benefit. Alterations were at once made, the building re- 
furnished and properly fitted for its future use, and the hospital was formally 
opened on the first day of July, 1881. A house physician and medical board were 
selected from among the ablest in our city, and the superintendent and her assis- 
tant are graduates of the Hospital School for Trained Nurses. 



CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS 



133 



^ Over 3,000 patients have been treated since the opening, a g^reat many of 
whom were charity cases, and the demands on the hospital were soon in excess of 
its capacity. As a consequence a spacious addition was erected in 1888 and the 
hospital can now acommodate fifty patients, having eery facility for their prop- 
er treatment and care. This addition was built from the proceeds of subscriptions 
of liberal-heai'ted citizens, in connection with a small state appropriation. Includ- 
ed in the new department are a children's ward, four rooms for private patients, a 
handsomely furnished reception room, office, ante-room, well equipped operating 
room, bath room, superintendent's room, and dining room on the first floor, while 
the basement is used for a kitchen, laundry, ironing, drying and extra dining 
room. The hospital is supported in part by fees from patients able to pay, but 
principally from subscriptions of business men and others, one of our liberal citi- 
zens donating $500 annually. The Hamot Hospital is located on a beautiful site, 
standing on a bluff 60 feet in height overlooking the bay. It is an attractive place 
and has delightful surroundings, thus making it more pleasant for the sick and 
unfortunate who are compelled to seek treatment there. 

The late George Selden, bequeathed $20,000 to the Hamot Hospital upon con- 
ditions that it should be made entirely non-sectarian and it was reorganized in the 
spring of 1894 upon that basis. The new charter broadens the character of the 
institution and will mtiko of it even a greater power for good than heretofore. 




RESIDENCE OF H. F.WATSON 



136 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

County Buildings — From Buehlei-'s tavern, ■where court was held in 1803, 

the seat of justice was removed to the second story of a log jail on Second street, 
thence to a building owned by Conrad Brown, on the corner of Third and French 
streets, which was the early business centre of Erie. The first Court House was 
erected, in 1808, of brick, stood in the Park, on the west side of State street. The 
State granted $2,000 towards the erection of the Court House, as the County was too 
poor to stand the entire expenses. About two o'clock Sunday morning, Mar. 23, 
1823, this structure burned down, with all its valuable public records, and much 
of the early history of the County was thereby lost. The janitor had left the 
ashe^, on Saturday evening in a nail keg and the fire probably came from that 
source. A portion of the Erie Academy building was at once secured, and served 
for court purposes until the Court House was rebuilt, 

R. S.Reed, P. S. V.Hamot, Thos. H. Sill and others agreed to loan the County 
$2,000 for four years, without interest, and two of the Commissioners decided to ac- 
cepted the offer, the third one, Henry Colt bringing in a minority report 
against its acceptance on the grounds that the county treasury would not warrant 
the expense of rebuilding. A portion of the old walls being intact, Mehaffey and 
Henderson agreed to do the mason work for $1,950. Wm. Benson and Wm. Him- 
rod of Waterford undei'took the carpenter work for $2,000. Some extras were ad- 
ded and the building, with furnishings, costs $6,000; having been completed 
for occupancy about two years subsequent to the fire. It was a two story struc- 
ture, surmounted by a wooden cupola, in which was hung the bell of the Detroit. 

Tuesday May 4, 1824, the commissioners sent to Henderson & Mehaffey the 
following note: "We are sorry to observe that the finish of the gable ends of the 
Court-house does not answer your expectations or our purpose. Already the water 
has materially injured the wall and unless something is done it will tumble 
down." Same day Henderson & Mehaffey, agreed to cover the gables with three 
inch planks beveled from the center and make the same secure. 

Court House Bell— The bell which graced the old Court House for many 
years, was of elegant tone and in use at Ft. Erie in Canada prior to the war of 
1812, when it was placed on the English ship Detroit, which was captured by 
Perry, and later brought to this port. In 1825 when the Navy Yard was abandon- 
ed here, R. S. Reed, purchased the loose materials among which was this bell, 
which he shortly afterwards sold to the County Commissioners, who put it in tne 
rebuilt Court House, completed about that time. It was stolen from the old Court 
House, while the present structure was in process of building, and in 1854, 
after a new bell had been procured, the old one turned up mysteriously, and 
was purchased from the County by the city authorities, for $105. It was used as a 
fire alarm until cracked, when it was preserved as a relic, by P. Osborn, who later 
gave it into the charge of the Y. M. C. A. When the Independence Ball 
halted here on its way to the World's Fair, the Erie Liberty Bell was brought out 
for a holiday after which it was taken to the City Hall for preservation. 

Another authority says, the bell was used to call the people to arms during 
the railroad war, and that three taps of this silver-toned relic, would bring out 
hundreds of able-bodied men with guns to intimidate the railroad laborers. The 
bell was rung with mofe violence than it could stand in that campaign and be- 
came cracked in consequence. Regarding the railroad war, the Gazette of Jan. 
12, 1854, says: '"Never in the history of our city have we witnessed popular ex- 
citement equal to that which now prevails. God grant that it may speedily 
Bubside." 



PUBLIC BUILDINGS 137 

The Court House— The corner-stone of the present Court Rovase >»a8 
laid Aug-. 17, 1852; Hon. John Galbraith, President Judffe delivering an address 
for the occasion. The first court was held therein, May 7, 1855. The Commis- 
sioners undertook the job by day work and on May 1, 1854, after about $30,000 had 
been expended, contracted with Hoskinson and Hill to complete the structure, and 
its surrounding's, for $31,000 additional. An allowance of $2,392 for extra.s, 
brought the entire cost above $63,000 and with subsequent additions and repaii's 
the sum had been increased to $100, 000, prior to the L addition which was contract- 
ed in 1889 by Riblet Brothers for $27,983. W. J. Butler secured the plumbing and 
steam heating work at $3,686 and with furnishings and extras, the addition cost 
the County about $40,000. The court house is fire proof and very commodious, al- 
though somewhat ancient in appearance. The old portion is 61x132 feet and the 
L 40x100 ft. all two stories in height. It contains I'ooms for the various county 
offices, as well as ample court rooms, apartments for juries, consultation rooms, 
etc. The lot was purchased by the County in 1804. 

Jails — A small log jail was erected on the southeast corner of Holland and 
Second street, in 1803, and court was held in this a few times. A brick jail was 
erected, on the site of the present Court House, 1830,and the present sheriff's res- 
dence was built in 1850, at a cost of $12,657. The presant jail with 36 iron cells 
was built, in 1869, making a cost of about $52,000. 

The residence and jail are each three stories in height, and two rows of cells are 
found on each floor. Each cell is provided with a heavily grated iron door, and 
fitted with water closet and wash bowl. The floors stairways and galleries are of 
iron and back walls of stone, making it fire proof and difficult of escape. 

Prisoners each receive a loaf of bread per day, to which is added coffee for 
breakfast, meat and potatoes for dinner and tea for supper. Through the kind- 
' ness of the sheriff, roast turkey and other delicacies are f urnishd on the principal 
holidays. The average number is from 25 to 75. A warden appointed by the sher- 
iff, has charge of the prisioners and jail. The incarcerations for 1892 were 1,075 and 
for 1893 over 1,000. As many as 85 prisoners have been confined at one time, be- 
fore the session of court. After the discharges and sentences the number de- 
tained is sometimes j'educed as low as twenty. Old criminals ai^e sentenced to the 
Western Penitentiary, milder case to the Allegheny Co. Workhouse, and incor- 
rigible girls and boys of tender years are sent to the Morganza Rjform School. 

March 15, 1824, an act passed the Legislature to allow those indebted to the 
State for in and out lots of Erie, or any lands lying in Erie County, to pay the 
same to the County Treasurer until the donation of $2,500 had been cancelled. 

County Alms House— in 1832, John H. Walker, procured an actcedingthe 
third section of State land, comprising about 2,000 acres in Millcreek tp., to the 
borough; the proceeds to be used in constructing a canal basin at the harbor. The 
act, reserved 100 acres to the County, on which to erect an Alms House. The poor 
house farm was selected by the commisioners May 8, 1833. To this, a tract of 8i 
acres was added by purchase from Martin Warfel Sr., in 1877, and some five acres 
additional was secured from the abandoned canal bed. A proposition to build 
a County house was voted down in 1839, but passed by a majority of four at the 
spring election of 1840. The original building was of brick and suited to the 
times, but the results of the late war,left many widows and orphans unable to care 
for themselves and the present imposing edifice was commenced in 1870. It was 
nearly completed in 1871, although some of the finishing continiied until 1873. 
The entire cost as shown by the requisitions, 1869-73, was $118,000. To this $10,- 



140 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

000 appropriated in 1874, was applied to the improvement of the buildings and 
grounds, the erection of barns and putting down a well for natural gas. The latter 
supplies the premises with fuel and lights and has proven to be a paying invest- 
ment. An addition for insane male persons, was made in 1875, at a cost of $2,000. 

Warner, Beers & Go's 1884 history says: "The Alms House stands on a rise of 
ground between the Ridge road and Lake Shore railroad, facing the former, with 
which it communicates by a wide avenue, lined on both sides with shade trees. 
The main building is of brick, four stories high, 188 feet long by 44 to 46 wide, 
with a cupola in the center and another at each end. Extending from the center 
on the north side is a three-story brick wing, 86x30 feet.and a short distance to the 
west is the small two-story brick building above referred to, for the care and safe- 
keeping of insane males. On the first floor of the main building are the Steward's 
ofifice and family apartments, the men's sitting room, store room, etc. The three 
other floors are divided into sleeping rooms, except that a large space at the 
west end of the second story is used as the female hospital. The north wing con- 
tains the paupers' dining room and kitchen on the first, the women's insane de- 
partment on the second, and the men's hospital on the third floor. The capacity 
of the building is for about 300 inmates. All the cooking for the paupers is done 
by steam. The heating is effected mainly by steam generators, in part by natural 
gas fi'om wells on the farm, which also supply the light. The water is pumped 
from a spring to a tank on the fourth story, from which it is distributed over the 
entire building. Attached to the building is a medical depository and a small li- 
brary, the later contributed by Hon. Henry Souther." 

The poor house farm is one of the best in the County, and has generally been 
kept under fine cultivation. A few rods north of the building is a large spring, 
which furnishes an ample supply of water for all the needs of the institution. 
The barn is of the modern style, with basement stable. A little to the east, in- 
closed by a neat fence, is the new pauper bui'ial ground, which already contains 
100 unfortunates. Each grave is marked by a stone and a number corresponding 
with the one in the death book. 

The food supplied to the inmates is plain but is clean and abundant.' It con- 
sists largely of potAtoes, bread and butter, soup, tea, coffee and vegetables. The 
Bleepmg apartment? are plain but comfortably furnished, and scrupulous cleanli- 
ness is observed, in order to prevent the spread of contagion, 

The charity sTjitem of the County is in charge of three directors of the poor, 
one of whom is elected annually. They employ a steward of the Almshouse, a sec- 
retary and treasurer, an attorney, a physician for the almshouse, (who also attends 
to Erie poor), and one physician each to Corry, North East, Union, Waterford, 
Albion, Harb@rcreek, Edinboro, Mill Village, Girard, Wattsburg, Middleboro, 
Springfield and Fairview. The subordinate employes at the Almshouse are one 
*ngine.«i\ two farmers, one keeper and one nurse for the insane men, on^ keeper 
of tiie ho&pital, one janitor at the office, two keepers for the insane women, and 
four female servaets. Only those who are thought to be incurably insane are kept 
&t the istitution of whom there are 20. Those for whom there is still hope are 
g©nt to the State hospital at Warren. 

The amount expended upon the poor of this County for 1893 was about $40,- 
000 of which more than $22,000 was out of door relief, the other $J 8,0-00 having 
b«it'.u u*e«l in the care of the Almshouse. Of the 235 inmates, for the early part of 
1S94 nearly half were men and boys, able to earn a lively hood if they could 
Laye secured suitable work. The foieign element largely predominates. 



NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS 



141 



MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. 

Newspaper Extracts— in looking through the files of the Gazette, Obser- 
ver, Dispatch and Advertiser, many items of interest appear that are difficult 
of classification, and we shall here insert a chapter of unclassified and miscella- 
neous notes. In the first issue of the Gazette, Jan. 15, 1820, we find the following 
report of the trustees of Waterford Academy: 
1812 rent from Thomas Ford, I 
1812-13 '• •• Wm. & C. Colt, 
1812-13 " " Wm. & N. Colt, 
1813-14 " " James Blair, 
1812-16 " " Peter Ford, 
1814-18 " " Wm. Bracken, 
1814-18 " " A. Watson 
1813-18 " " John Robinson, 
1817-18 " " G. W. Reed, 
1814-18 " " Adams & Blair, 
Sold Lot No. 1, J. & M. Kelly, 

'• •• No. 3, H. Hamilton, 

" " No. 6, Thos. Humphrey, 

" " No. 7, Asa Gilbert, 

" " No. 8, Amos Judson, 
Total Dr. 



5 7.69 
61.87 
176.00 
85.13 
241.60 
284.21 
371.54 
407.76 
169.12 
348.14 
260.00 
236.00 
120.00 
75.00 
1.50.00 



Pd. for building, on farm No. 2, $726.27 
" N. Colt work on barn. 50.00 

'• P. Ford 20 perches stone, 40.00 

" building house on farm No. 4, 377.81 
" For building fence, 15.00 

" Taxes 1812 to 1819, 15 65 

" Barn and cabin, farm No. 5, 308.01 
" 2 log houses, farm No. 6, 297.62 

" Postage on 2 petitions, .87 

" Printers and blank book etc. 10.50 
" Nails and fence, 17.11 

'• Leases and surveying 15.50 

" Trustees 1813-19," 80.62 

Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1820, 200.00 

Negotiable obligations, 839.10 

Total Cr. $2994.06 



$2994.06 

S. Ball, gold and silversmith, requested persons who had watches, which had 
been left with him, one to three and even six to seven years, to redeem them or 
they would be sold to pay the expense of repair Geo. Selden of Erie, mar- 
ried at Meadville to Miss Louisa Shattuck, February 21, 1820. 

"In order to disseminate small change as extensively as possible, throughout 
the different parts of the U. S. the Mint at Philadelphia, on account of the Bank 
of the United States, will issue silver dismis, [ten cent pieces,] to any moderate 
amount."— Gazette 1820. 

Small Boats— In the first ten or twenty years of this County's pioneer histoi-y 
small boats from Buffalo, via the lake, and the raft or keel-boat on French creek, 
played an important part in development. Following this came the palmy days of 
stage-coaching and the subsequent steamboating era. 

A private school, known as the Erie Grammar school, was started by P. W. G. 

Camp, at the residence of Mr. Gunnison in 1820 Gazette of Jan. 1822 says the 

paper was made by Atkinson, Magaw & Carr's paper mill near Meadville. 

Gazette, 1825— pay the printer: The following articles will be received 
in payment of debts due at this office, ii delivered soon viz: wheat, rye, corn, 

oats, pork, butt«r, sugar, honey, tallow and candles, beeswax, wood and rags 

Among the prominent advertisers of that date were S. Hutchins & Co., general 
merchandise, Waterford; in Erie, R. S Reed, Wm. Fleming and P. S. V. Hamot, 
general merchandise; Geo. Selden, John A. Tracy & Co., hardware; and numer- 
ous other smaller concerns. 

John Q. Adams' inaugural address, given March 4th that year, congratu- 
lates the States for increase in population from four millions at close of the Revolu- 
tionary war to twelve millions at that time The latest new; in the paper 

from New York was 12 days past and from London a month old The first is- 
sue in March, states that no ice had been seen at Erie since the 12th ofFebruary, 



144 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Advertisements appear for labourers wanted on the harbour improvements, 

Bt $10 per month There were notir-es of Reed's mill in Erie, Cochran's in 

Millcreek tp., Sam'l G. DougUas, boots and shoes and Samuel Hays shoe and lea- 
ther shop: Jas. Barr, tailor; Rufus Clough and Wm. Sizer, S. & D. Burton, blaek- 
Emiths: Thos. Dillon manufacturer of edge tools; John Riddell, attorney and Dr. 

Jacob Vosburg had cards in the paper Geo. Selden, treasurer of the Erie & 

Waterford Turnpike declared a dividend of $2 per share The advertised let- 
ter lists showed John Knox, P. M. at Erie; James Smedley, at North East; Sam'l 

Hutchins at Waterford Henry Shippen was president Judge; John Vincent 

and John Grubb associates. 

R. Marlin of Meadville, was brigade inspector of the Penn'a. militia in this 
section; A. McClaskey Col., of the 104 (Erie Co.) Reg. and Thos. Forster, Jr., 
Capt. of Erie Guards The Brigs Lawrence, Niagara, Queen Charlotte and De- 
troit were sold at auction in July 1825, by Geo, Budd commander of the United 
States Naval station at Erie. 

June 1825— J. Hoge Waugh, editor of the Gazette Wm. Himrod and 

Aurelia H. Reed, of Waterford, were married June tith, by Rev. J. Eaton A 

camp meeting was held on the farm of John Riblet, Sr., Harborcreek Dr. S. 

Hitchcock, practicing at Eagle Village P. S, V. Hamot advertises for the re- 
turn of a negro slave (until 28 years) as follows: "No mark but the mark of Cain 
— six cents for the return of a negro servant, 19 years of age. He is a very bad 
subject and is capable of every bad deed. 

January 1826 — In was reported in New York, that watchmen in different 
parts of the city, had seen an angel in the sky, who announced that the great 
metropolis would be swallowed up on the 18th, inst. More than 100 families moved 
out of this scv-iom; but when in was later given forth by the Millerites, that the 
whole world was to be involved in the great catastrophe, emigration from New 
York city ceased. [William Miller's authentic information regarding Christ's 
second coming was not given to tlae public until 1833, and the date for the end of 
earthly things, set for 1844.] 

The Erie hand fii'e engine did good service at the burning of Alvah Plynt's 

fulling mill Noah Webster, advertised in the Gazette of 1826, that he had 

completed a dictionary after 20 years of labor and at a cost of $30,000. Up to that 

time seven million of his spelling-books had been sold Erie officials were J. C. 

Wallace, Burgess; S. L. Forster, High Constable; Robt. Brown, Jno. Morris, P. S. 
V. Hamot, John Warren and Joseph Henderson Councilmen. . . The Navy Yard 
lease privileges, public buildings, wharves etc., were sold at auction, June 12, 
1826 and the station here discontinued. 

July 4, 1826 — The fiftieth anniversary of American Independence was cele- 
brated in this County with great enthusiasm. A dinner was served to the surviv- 
ing soldiers of the Revolution, by Mr. Fluck, at the Steamboat Coffee House, cor- 
ner of Second and French streets. R. S. Reed was president of the daj', assisted 
by Ciipt. Budd, U. S. N., Hon. Thos. Sill and Capt. Maurice. Rev. P. Judd in- 
voked a blessing and the Declaration of Independence was read by Geo. A. Elliot, 
after which a number of toasts were drank. The proceedings at Waterford 
were about the same. The day was memorable from the fact tbat two of the 
signers of the Declaration of Independence, both ex-presidents, Thomas Jefferson 
and John Adams, passed away on that day. 

Sept. 10. 1827, Perry's victory was celebrated at Misery bay, upon the British 
ships, Queen Charlotte and Detroit, The crowd was taken out by the revenue 



NEWSPAPER CLIPPING 145 

culter *Dallas, and abmt the hour of the British surrender to Perry, a national 
salute was fired. W. W. Djbbins had charge of the dinner served on the boats 
nnd in the evening- a grand ball was given at the '"New York Hotel." A no- 
tice of opcr. tions on the Baltimore & Ohio R.R. appeared in the Gazette in 1827. . . 
Tile paper on which the Gazette was printed, was made at the mouth of Walnut 
creek by Chas. L )rd. Upon his decease, Halsey Pelton succeeded to the business. 

Observer 1832, records that the Centenial anniversiary of Washington's 

bivtluiay at Pliiladclphia, had a procession five miles long Just at that time. 

Feb. 18 22.1832. tlie Ohio river was at high flood stage showing 49 ft. at Wheeling, 
which the paper says was nearly five feet above the flood of 1813. Over 20 build- 
ings were swept away in Wheeling in the flood of 1832 The Erie Observe; 

says: "A subr-cribjr who recently compelled us to pay 10 cents postage, for being 
informed that he wanted his paper discontinued at the end of the year, is i*equested 
wh n he writes another lelt-ir of no more profit to us, to have the P. M. endorse 
'Paid' upon the back of it." The cholera was brought to this port by emi- 
grants--. It was quarantined and but few deaths occui-red. 

South Carolina passed the nullification act and refused to pay certain tariff 
duties. President .Jackson's annual message appeared in the Observer, Dec. 10, 
1832, and in summing up the South Carolina matter, he said: "I consider then, 
the power to annul a law of the United States, assumed by one State, to be in- 
compatible with the existence of the Union, contradicted expressly by the letter 
of the Constitution, unauthorized by its spirit, inconsistent with every principle 
on which it was founded and destructive of the great object for which it was 

formed The Pennsylvania Legislature in 1832, appropriated for railroad 

from Philadelphia to Columbia. $657,000; Incline Plane R. R. over the Alleghen- 

ies $414,000. and about a million dollars for canal purposes Nov. 2, 1832, the 

Anti-Masons of Erie, burned in effigy, President Jackson, who was a candidate for 
re-election. At a celebration on Jan. 8, following, to commemorate Gen. Jack- 
son's victory at New Orleans, eighteen years before, the burning act was loudly 
denounced and the perpetrators made to apologize. 

'•Monday May 23, 1836, Commissioners met, present James Love, James Miles 
and Stephen Skinner: contiued in session three days. Accepted the proposal of 
J. W. Smith and J. P. Benson, for laying lower floor of jail with cut stone. Went 
to the poor house tract and staked out the cellar for the poor house. Rented the 

100 acres to Ge^ige Daiigherty, five years at $100 per year." In 1846, $525 was 

paid for rebuilding the west half of the jail, which had been erected in 1830 and 
which continued until 1850. 

The Gazette of 1840 reports five states, not having a daily paper. In census mat- 
ters, of this County, there was reported 4,997 farmers, 1,448 persons employed in 
manufacturing, of which 440 were in Erie; 134 in Millcreek tp; 170 in Girard and 
other villages less than 100. The number of males in the County was largely in 
excess of the female population and the Gazette said: "The unmarried ladies have 
a smarter chance for iiusbands and not quite so smart a chance as other sections." 

June 6, 1842 — There was frost and ice at various places in the County On 

July, 13, Martin Van Buren arrived from the west, in the steamer Fairport, and 
was escorted to the Eagle Hotel, by three volunteer militia companies, riding in a 
carriage with P. S. V. Hamot The taking of exact likenesses, by the Da- 
guerreotype process was advertised by Mr. Clark. 

*An«jther revenue cutter named Dallas, succeeded the Erie, in 1846. 



146 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

July 1842, first in Northwestern Pennsylvania Lard oil was manufac- 
tured and first used in lamps instead of sperm oil Diphtheria, epidemic in 

North East, known then as black-tonorue or putrid-sore-throat. Tlie Chi'onicle 
was published about this time and for some ten years subsequent also the Commer- 
cial Advertiser A great earthquake, at Porto Rico and Windward Islands, 

was repoi'ted in which 10.000 persons were supposed to have been lost. 

In 1843, Moses Koch opened the "Jew Store" on North Park; Dr. P. Hall also 
commenced the drug- trade and Judge Jno. P. Vincent was practicing as an attor- 
ney. Two of these gentlemen are still in active business and Mr. Koch though not 

in trade enjoys good health Dec. 17, 1844, Wm. M. Gallagher was elected 

chief of the fire department and P. Metcalf 1st assistant Michael Hare, of 

Union tp . died March 4, 1843, aged 116 years. He was interred in the Waterfoi-d 
cemetery. In 1840 Mr. Hare was the only person in this County above 100 years 
of age and there was but one other person who had reached the age of 90 years. 

Observer, 1843, says good cows can be purchased as low as $3.50 The 

steamship Great Western, in May. '43, crossed the Atlantic, from Liverpool to 
New York, in I2i days; up to that time the quickest record made. This by mo- 
dern methods has been reduced one half Snow on June 6, in New York, Ohio 

and Pennsylvania. Albany Tribune reported it five inches deep. 

The tariff qu ^stlons a half century ago were agitating the public mind about 
as at present and were discussed on very nearly the same plane. This diflficult po- 
litical problem, seems to be no nearer a correct solution, than it was 50 years ago. 

Horace Greeley visited Erie and made a great tariff speech Sept. 1843 T.ie 

manufacture of steel pens was noted as one of inventions of the age From an 

explosion of manufactured gas, the Presque Isle Foundry, burned Feb. 13, 1844. 
Loss $25,000. ..... Newspaper postage in the County as well as outside was 52 c 'nts 

per year The Erie B-inevolent Temperance Association, held meetings Mar. 

13, 1843, and from time to time at the pattern shop of the Erie Foundry. 

Gazette 1844, noticed that Joe Smith the founder of Mormonism, was de- 
manded by the enraged citizens of Illinois and the assembly was to be driven 

from Nauvoo The Clay party called themselves Democratic- Whig and the 

opposition was known as Locofoccs An emigrant woman was taken with 

smallpox and removed to a shanty on tlie peninsula which was then called the 

Island opp 'site the town A political mass meeting was held at Harborcreek. 

The Erie delegation was joined at the Cabin by the Fairview dele.i^ation, in whicli 
was a vehicle bearing the inscription "'In 1813. Wm. Sturgeon of Fairview, used 
thi.s wagon in drawing Whig, oak and pine, with which the fleet was constructed 
that defeated the British on the lake. In 1840 the sons of Wm. Sturgeon and 
Whigs of Fairview useJ it in the great Whig battle." 

Gazette New Years 1845 issued a carriers address Pfrry Fire Co., Jan. 

7, '45, eL.cted A. W. Brewster, Pres : .las. Lytle, V. P.: R. P. Hulbert. Sec; J. B. 

Gunnison Treas.; G. A. Bennett foreman Air-ti^ht stoves were advertised as 

an innovation, the old open Franklin having baen the style to that date P. 

Rowley petitioned for license, for the Reed House, which petition was endorsed 
byT. W. Stjrrett, R. S. Ree<1. W. W. Wells, P. Metcalf. H. L. Brown. J. H. Ball, 
M. Goodwin, S. Shears, C. tlvlparren, J. C. Bebe, Dan'l Dobbins and S. Smyth. 

The Michigan was repoi'.cd ay the best war ship belonging to the U. S. navy. 

.The Giddings of 300 tons was lauuclied and put in commission at Conneaut 

harbor The Clarion of Erie was launched a few weeks later, 



MILITARY COMPANIES 147 

Public Square, now Central Park, plaated to trees 1846 James K. Polk 

declared war with Mexico, May 13th Rufus S. Reed died June 1st Daily 

steamboat mail line from Buffalo established A notice of the Lake Erie Tel- 
egraph Co. via Buffalo to Detroit was made and the Gazette says: "By means of 
proposed Telegraph, we may have important news conveyed to us from N. Y. in an 
instant. Wonderful!" The stock to be issued was $170,000. 

Henry Warfel sold in the Erie Market a hog weighing 649 pounds Popu- 
lar vote for President in the United States, Clay, 1,297,912; Polk, 1,3.36,196: Bir- 
ney, (Abolitionist) 62,127. Of the latter 10,000 votes were cast in Mass; 15,000 in 
N. Y.; 8,000 in Ohio; 9,000 in Maine and New Hamphire and the remaining 20.000 
votes, scattering Iron steamer Albert was built at Buffalo, winter 1844-5. 

A report of the coal mined in Pennsylvania, for 1847, showed 4,685,732 cons of 

anthracite and ten million bushels of bituminous, a total value of $40,000.000 

The O'Reily telegraph commenced operation in Erie Jan. 1848 Gazette Mar, 

2, 1848 dressed in mourning for the death of Ex-Presidetit J. Q. Adams The 

Observer commenced, publishing a tri- weekly. May 1, 1848, discontinuing the 

same a few months later Erie Bank suspended May 1848, but Gen. C. M. 

Reed, pledged its stability, the bank again revived and redeemed all its notes. 

Military Companies— In the early history of the States the organized mili- 
tia was a prominent feature and important protection. The '"Erie Light Infantry" 
was organized in 1806, with Thomas Forster, Capt.; Thomas Rees, Lieut.; Thomas 
Stewart, Ensign; Thos.Wilkins, Sergt.; John Hay 2nd Sergt.;Rufus Clough, Pifer; 
J. Glazier Drummer. This company was among the first to tender its services to 
the President in the war of 1812, when it was ordered to Buffalo with the brigade; 
Capt. Forster was made brigade inspector and J. E. Herron chosen captain in his 
stead. 

The Presque Isle Rangers was organized in 1807, but disbanded before the 
1812 war. Subsequent to that the Erie Greens were organized 1821; Washington 
Artillery 1824; Erie Guards 1825, Thos. Forster Jr., Capt. An Artillery Company 
was organized in 1836; the Washington Guards Capt. Erhart, and the German 
Guards, Capt. Dudlinger, in 1841. The Wayne Greys, with J. W. McLane Capt. 
was oi-ganized in 1837. A Cavalry Company, with C G. Howell, Captain, 
i.i 1842; which in the Mexican war period offered its services to the 
President, but was not called to the front. Franklin Pierce Rifle Co. was organ- 
ized 1858; Wayne Guards. J. W. McLane, Capt., 1859; Perry Artillery Co., Gustav 
Jarecki, Caj^t. 1859, and Girard Guards by the late D, W. Hutchinson, in 1860. 

Hon. Geo. Bancroft, the gifted historian, was booked for an historical ad- 
dress to be given at the dedication of the "Perry Monument"' in Cleveland. Sept. 
10, 1860, and in preparation for the event the Wayne Guards had a cane made 
from Lawrence wood, the first of its kind, as the historical flag ship hulk had not 
yet been raised, but this was procured from a projecting board. The gold head 
had been handsomely engraved by T. M. Austin, having on one side "September 
10, 1813. We have met the enemy and they are ours" and on the reverse, "Wayne 
Guards of Erie, to Hon. George Bancroft." "Perry's fleet was built at, sailed from 
and returned to Erie." "American patriotism embalms the memories of its 
heroes." 

After the address the Guards were drawn up in front of the speaker's stand 
and the presentation made by Capt. McLane. Mi-. Banc^'ift responded with a 
few well timed remarks and a month later, in recognition of the gift, sent to the 
Guards eight handsomely bound voluraee of his United States Eilatory. 



148 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Insurance — Iq 1834 the Erie County Mutual Insurance Company was incor- 
porated (the business to be transacted at Erie), with the following names, and 
those of any other persons that might hereafter associate with them in the man- 
ner afterward prescribed; John A. Traey^ Willian Kelley, Peter Pierce, J. W. 
Hitchcock, James Williams, Smith Jaekson, Samuel Low^ Cunrad Brown, Ji' , B. 
B. Vincent, Bester Town, Jabez Wight, David (i-. Webber, and Stephen Skinneri 

The Farmer's Mutual Insurance C-irapany of Harbor Creek was incorporated 
J3i57, with the following officers! John Dodge, President! Peter E; Barton, Vice- 
President; Henry Gingrich, Treasurer; Robt: Henry, Secetary; John Dodge, J. Y. 
Moorhead, John W. McLane, Calvin Leet. O. Hi Wagoner. Jes^e Saltsman, Robt. 
Sewall, G. J. Ball, Thomas Mcl^ee, ^■. M-. Browfl, Henry Gingrich, Marlin Warfel, 
and P. E. Burton, Directors. 

Erie Gas Company was chartered March 5, 1852, with a capital of $60,000. 
This was to be divided into twelve hundred shares of $50 each. The Board of Di- 
recLo.'s have the privilege of increasing the capital from time to time, as they 
doem necessary, to $100,000. 

The company purchased ten lots for $10,000, and expended $50,000 on build- 
ings, machinery, etc.; the gas-holder is forty-five feet in diameter and eighteen 
feet deep, and capabla of holding 30,000 cubic feet. Pipe, the length of three and 
a half miles was laid in the streets; it was first used August 22, 1853, by thirty-one 
consumers; at the end of the year, by one hundred and fifty; burnei's, si.x. hundred. 

Mr. Meredith superintended the con >truction of the works, and Mr. P. Met- 
calf, who was the heaviest stockholder, contributed materially to the success of 
the enterprise.— Mias Sanford's 1861 History. 

A citizens meating was called at the Court House June 18, 1845, to formulate 
resolutions upon the death of ex-president Andrew Jackson which occurred 10 
days prior, when it was resolved that we wear usual badges of mourning for 30days : 

That a committee be appointed to make the necessary arrangement for a 
funeral procassion, at some convenient time hereafter and select a suitable person 
to deliver an addresj; That a copy of th3se resolutions bd sent to the President, 
another forwarded to the family of the deceased. Daniel Dobbins was President 
of the meeting, Jas. Thompson and John Galbraith V. P's; H. L. Harvey and Ir- 
win Camp, Secretaries. On July 2, the funeral arrangements were consummated 
and after the procession and prayer, a eulogy upon the deceased statesman was 

pi'onounced by Judge Galbraith The Anti-slavery question wis being 

vigorously agitated and June 10, second quarterly meeting of the society met at 

Wayne Corners, Ambrose Shelby, secretary The Gazette announced the great 

fire in New York, July 17 1845, in which 500 stores were consumed, numerous lives 

lost and millions of dollars in value destroyed M. B. Lowry, was awarded a 

verdict of $50,142 against the canal company in 1845 The great battle at tiie 

city of Mexico Aug. 20, 1847 was reported by the Gazette. There were engaged 
32,000 Mexicans and 7,000 Americans, the loss of the former reaching 5,000 and 
the latter 1,000. 

Zachary Taylor who was elected president in 1848, while on a tour throua-h 
this State the following summer was suddenly attacked with billious trouble at 
Cambridge, the attending physician at first fearing cholera which was prevalent 
at that time. He was hastily brought to Erie, accompanied by Vice President Fill- 
more, and Gjvernor Johnston of this State. These dignitaries ai'rived here 
Aug. 25, 1849, and were met at the boi'ough limits by two German 'military com- 
panies, the lodge of Odd Fellows and Buffalo band. The presidential party were 



BUSINESS TIMES OP 1850 l49 

escorted to the Reed House, where His Excellency, was made as comfortable as 
possible and the Governor and Vice President ..ere welcomed by Chas. W. Kelso. 
A beautiful wreath had been worked by the ladies of Erie and spanned State 
street at the Park entrance. Two days later, while a salute was being fii-ed from 
the Michigan, upon the departure of the vice president for the East, two of the 
gunners were killed by a premature discharge of the cannon. President Taylor 
was removed to the residence of Dr. W. M. Wood on Eighth sti*eet Aug. 28, re- 
mained here over a week, when he proceeded on his journey. July 10, 1850, a 
similar attack caused his death at Washington and Millard Fillmore was made 
president. The event was commemorated in Erie July 2.3, by a very large proces- 
sion, prayer by Rev. J. H. Presley and eulogy by Hon, T. H. Sill. 

The cholera reached Erie in 1849, several deaths occurring here. It visited 
tHe principal metropolitan cities of the States, as there were no efficient quaran- 
tines and the true cause of contagion was little understood. In this and tlie fol- 
lowing year the deaths from cholera reached as high as 80 per day in Cincinnati 

and was almost as destructive in several other cities T. D. Ina^ersoU 

engaged to teach vocal music in the Erie public schools Nov. 1849 A. H. 

Caughey, graduated from Washington college and became principal of the West 

Ward school in 1849 Subscriptions to the Pittsburg and Erie R.R. opened Nov. 

1849; C. M. Reed, Jas. Thompson .Giles Sanford, John Vincent, Wm. Kelley, T. H. 

Sill, Jas. Williams, committee Numerous departures were noted for the new 

"gold diggins" in Cal'Tornia Reed's residence corner Sixth and Peach, erect- 
ed in 1849 Residence of Jas. Talmage, of McKean, a pioneer of 1795, burned, 

Dec. 31. It was partially insured in the Washington Co. Mutual of New York. 

Business Men of 1850 — The principal advertisements appearing in the 
Gazette at the beginning of the last half of this century, show the names of the fol- 
lowing business men: General Merchandise, H. Cad well, Reed & Sanford, 
Thos. Evans, C. M. Tibbals, Moses Koch, Presley Arbuckle, C. B. Wright, D. H. 
Havei'stick, S. R, Dewey, J. D. Clark, Jas. Hughes & Co., Moorhead, Hughes & 
Co., S. R. Powers; Groceries A. H. Hitchcock, R. T. Sterrett, R. A. Baker, T. 
W. Moore, W. P. Rindernecht, B. Tomlinson and Co.; Hardware J. H. Burton, 
Geo. Selden & Son; Books Joel Johnston, O. D. Spafiford; Com. Mercts. Josiah 
Kellogg, Alfred King, Kelso & Loomis; Clothiers J. M. Justice, Jas. Ly tie, John 
Goulding; DRUGS Carter & Brother, Peter Hall; Jewelry G. Loomis & Co.,W. H,' 
Knowlton & Son, Wm. N, Lewis; Fish R. O. Hulbert; Cigars J. & H. Whipple; 
Bath Room A. Vosburg; Millinery Mrs. Curtis; Restaurants W. H. Harris, 
H. Cook; Hotels American by M. Shaw; Eagle by Maj. Brown; Reed House by 
Keith & Barber; Farmers, Perry Hotel and Our Home for commoners. 

J. H. Williams kept a private bank; Giles Sanford was cashier of the Erie Ca- 
nal Bank and secretary of the Erie & North East R. R. Co. Dr. O. L. Elliot was 
dentist and the physicians were Drs. P. & R. Faulkner, Wm. R. DeWall, W. B. 
Dodge, A.Beebe, L. Strong, C. F. Perkins, Alvin Thayer, — Langsdorf. Dr. J,L. 
Stewart, Wm. Faulkner, and I. Barton were at Waterford. The Attorneys 
mentioned were J. Galbraith, W. A. Galbraith, W. S. Lane, Jonas Gunnison, Jas. 
C. Reid, Wilson Laird, J. C. Marshal, J. P. Vincent, Wm. Benson, Matthew Taylor 
Wm. C. Kelso, J. W. Wetmore, S. B. Dewey. In manufacturing were noted Wal- 
ker & Townsend H. S. Fay McSparren & Dumars, flour mills; Lester, Seanett & 
Chester, iron works; L. Warren, John Constable, sash and doors; Wm. Riblet, 
cabinet maker; J. R. Cochran, Marble works; Jos. Kelsey saleratus (soda) manu- 
factory; Richard Gaggin dye works. As there were other papers published here 
at that time the above of course only partially represents the borough. 



150 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

1851 — For Presiding- Judge, John Galbraith, Diimocrat, and Elijah Babbitt 
Whig-, bolli of Erie were candidates. The latter's majority of 369 in this County 
was over come in the district, and G-ilbraith was elected by 601 majority, the 
counties voting as follows: Erie Crawford Warren Total 

John Galbraith 2,57.3 3.337 1,316 7,226 

Elijah Babbitt 2,942 2.661 1,022 6,625 

.Tos. M. Sterrett, Erie, and James Miles Girard, were elected Associate Judges; 
Samuel Perley, Erie, Proth; D. McAllister, Erie, Rec, Rodney Cole, Greene, 
Comsr; Simeon Dunn, Erie, Cor.; Wm. E. .VIcNair,P. D. Samuel Reeder, Washing- 
ton Auditor. 

1852— The Abolition ticket received 212 votes in this County. R. R. Robinson 
of Springfield was chosen Comsr.; Jas. Chambers, Harborcreek, Treas.; Orin 
Reed, McKean Aud.; J. B. Moorhead, Harborcreek, P. D.; Jacob Broom, the 
Native American candidate for president, received 11,04"< votes in the State, but 
none in this County. 

1853— Wm. Parker, Greenfield was elected Comsr.; Wm. Benson, Waterford, 
Surveyor; S. E. Woodruff, Girard, Dist. Att'y; Robt. Gray, Union, Aud.; John 
Hay, Girard, P. D. 

1854— The Known Nothing party had risen to sudden importance and by fusion 
with the Whigs elected James Pollock as governor by 37,007 majority, over Gov. 
Bigler. The "railroad war" was the pi-incipal e.x.citement in this County and 
party lines were badly demoralized. Tie Whigs however elected all County 
officers excepting assemblyman: Alfred King, Proth.: David McAllister, Rec; M. 
Phelps, Edinboro, Treas.; Elavel Body, Waterford, Comsr.: D. Burton, Erie, Cor.; 
Geo. W. Brecht, Millcreek, Aud.; Thos. McKee, Millcreek, P. D. 

1855 — Polical matters were in a state of chaos. The Free-Soilers and Aboli- 
tionists united to start the nucleus of the Republican pa -ty; the Know Njthi ngs, 
Whigs and Democrats each had a separate existence and there were no less than 
six state tickets in the field. The "railroad war" still continued to agitata Erie 
County and party lines were not drawn in local offices. John Kil pal rick, Harbor- 
creek, Sheriff; J. J. Compton, Edinboro, Comsr.; S. W. Keefer, Erie, P. D.; N. W. 
JRussell, Millcreek, Auditor. 

1856— Wm. W. Eaton, Fairview, Comsr.; Jer. Davis, Lockport. Treas.; G. N. 
Johnson, Erie, Dist. Att'y; J. W. Campbell, Washington, Aud.: .T. Spaulding, 
Springfield, P. D. Mr. Johnson died soon after election and C. W. Kelso was 
appointed by the Govei'nor. Mr. Spaulding declined to serve and John Hay of 
Girard was appointed by court. 

1857— James Skinner, Erie,Sheriff; Wm. P. Trimbell, Harborcreek, Rec: Amos 
Gould, North East, Cjmsr ; James Sill, Erie, Dist. Att'y; Elias Brecht, McKean, 
Aud.; Thomas Dillon, Erie, Cor.; Alex Nicholson, Fairview, P. D (3 years,) Wm. 
Bracken (2 years). These were all fusionists. 

A serie:j of Amendments to th 3 Stata constit.ition W3re s-ab.nitt^d to the 
people and carried by a large ranjority in both County and State. 

1858— The ReiJublican movemant DOW absorbed every opposing interest ex- 
cepting the Democrats, leaving but two parties, aud thereby won a sweeping 
victory in both County and State. Since the above date tlie Republicans have 
carried the County, with an occasional exception, caused from personal popularity 
of the candidate. From similar reasons or independent movaui mts, the Demo- 
crats carried the State in 1862, 1867, 1874, 1877, 1882, and 1890. J. W. McKean, Har- 



POLITECAL EVENTS 



i.^i 



V^orcreek. Sheriff; TJ. Davore. Springfield, Treas.iWm Putnam, Union, Comsr.; 
T. Stewart, Erie, P. D.; David Nash, Concord and H. H. Bassler, Fairview, Aud. 

1859— Joseph Henderson, MiJlcreek, Comsr.; Wm. Bi*aeken, LeBceuf, P. D.; 
J. L. Way, Summit. Auditor. 

1860— Andrew Curtin, for governor received in this County 5,613 votes while 
his opponent, H. D. Poster secured but 2,469. Babbitt for re-election to Congress 
almost doubled E. C. Wilson, the democratic candidate, who was also an Erie 
County man. Judge John Galbralth died June 15, 1860 and Rasselas Brown of 
Warren was appointed to serve until the election when S. P. Johnson of the same 
county was elected to preside over this judicial circuit, then comprising Erie. 
Crawford and Warren counties. 

James Skinner re-elected Proth.; Samuel Rea, Jr,, Springfield, Rec; W. O. 
Black, Union, Treas.; Jacob Pritts, Venango, Comsr.; Richard Gaggin, Erie Cor.; 
S. A. Davenport, Erie, Dlst. Att'y; Thos. Willis, Millcreek. P. D.: W. H. Bel- 
knap, Concord and Philip Osborn, Girard, Auditors. 

WarTimes — Theexciting campaign of 1860, when cesession was a foregone con 
elusion, resulted in 6,160 votes in this County for Lincoln, 2,531 for Fusion; 17 for 
sti-aight Douglas and 90 for Ball electors. Lincoln & Hamlin carried every 
Northern State, receiving 180 electoral votes, while the combined opposition had 
only 123. 

■ 1861 — The advent of rebellion, had a tendency to unite the opposing factions 
01 the North. Allen A. Craig, Erie, Sheriff; Seymour Washburne, McKean. 
Comsr.; Thos. Stewart, P. D.; J. W. Swalley, Fairview, Aud.; John Greer, North 
East and Wm. Cross, Springfield, Associate Judges. 




1.^2 ERIE COUNTY HISTOHV. 

A Sons of Temperance Lodge was organized in Erie June 6, 1851 "Spirit 

tappings" were announced as a comparatively new development Newspaper 

postage was reduced from 52 cts. per year to free within the county; 20cts. per year 
under 50 miles; 40 cts. per year 50 to 300miles; 60 cts.300 to 1,000; 80 cts. 1,000 to 2,000 

miles and $1.00 for greater distances, payable by the subscriber S. T. Nelson 

was chosen chief engineer of the fire department, Charles Lynch 1st Assistant, 
Isaac Moorhead 2nd, A. P. Durlin, Pres.; Adam Atchison V. P.; A. A. Craig Sec. 

G. A. Bennett Water Com Eagle Fire Co. O. H. Irish, Pres.; A. Van Tassel, 

V. P.; D. S. Sterrett, Treas. ; John Welsh, Sec; Geo. Burton Foreman; A. F, 
George, Assistant. 

Railroad Development— The Gazette gave the following editorial Aug. 29, 
1850: "We are persuaded that the general advantages of the contemplated rail- 
road through this County are not by most people duly estimated. The moment it is 
finished and in operation, it will raise the cash value of every acre of land, on both 
sides of it, from N. Y. to the Pa. line— to say nothing about its effect in other 
quarters. It will pour a tide of travel through Erie till men shall wonder from 
what reservoir the people have all broken loose, or where they are to find room 
here and beyond us. It will form an artery that will give life-blood to a giant — 
the great far West. Open this thoroughfare in 1852, then go to sleep and awake 
in 1860, and you will conclude that the eight intervening years have done the 
work of half a century at the dog-trot speed of the past. It will be a monument 
to the enterprise and labor of those who shall construct it which will endure when 
names and things that point to lesser streams will be forgotten. 

This road, so grand in conception and so vast in result, we would convert not 
alone to our general, but to our particular benefit. Having the power, we need 
only the disposition to do it. As our contemporary of the Observer has remarked, 
our County "holds the key to the great Western world, and can turn the lock so 
as forever to shut off an Eastern railroad connection with that world if she choos- 
es. Will we not exercise this power firmly, fearlessly and judiciously, unintimi- 
ted by the menaces of blustering corporations abroad — unseduced by the gilded 
bait of dollars and cents. A golden opportunity is now presented — the last, we 
fear, that will ever be offei'ed of building up Erie and placing her in a position of 
honorable and independent rivalry with- other cities. Let us, as citizens, wake 
up from our lethargy, our culpable indifference, upon this important subject — let 
us speak out boldly and fearlessly, and determine that foreign intluence shall not 
assume and maintain the direction of an important thoroughfare through our 
County. Let us show a truly loyal spirit, and resolve that Erie shall be something 
more than a 'watering place' on the Lake Shore iron-horse course." 

The Dunkirk Journal interpretted the above allusions to mean that Erie 
County by making a difference in width of guage would prevent through connec- 
tions and answers as follows: 

"So then Erie is to constitute herself and impassible wall, which is to for- 
ever cut off all connections between the railroads of the east and west. For the 
benefit of the Erie people, the distance from that place to the Ohio State line is to be 
passed over both by passengers and freight, by the old mode of conveyance and a 
tribute in the shape of increased expenses of travel is to be paid by a greater por- 
tion of the business men of the country. Erie by virtue of her position is going 
to tax every pound of freight that must pass through that town." The outcome 
of the above proceedure was the railroad war, mentioned on another page, which 
was an important event in the history of Ex'ie. 



BOARD OF TRADE 153 

Board of Trade — An important ag^ency in the progress of any city is a well 
organized board of trade or society under other name, to look after the commer- 
cial and manufacturing needs, and take action, where united effort is required, to 
bring manufacturing or other aids, to development. Erie city is fortunate in 
having a society of this character, which is in first-class working order, is prompt 
in action when necessity requires and is conducted by leading business men of the 
place. The officers fo)- 18f)4 were, .James McBrier, Pres.; W. B. Trask, first Vice; 
C. L. Baker, second Vice; DougIa.s Benson, Sec; J. S. VanCleve, Treas; C. Jarec 
ki, C. A. Curtze, T. W. Shacklett, H. Beckman, J. C, Sturgeon, W. G. Crosby, E. 
L. Wads worth, P. H. Ball. M. Warfel, Directors. 

The members of the various committees were, C. Jarecki, W. H. Nicholson, 
F. Gunnison, T. H. Carroll, F. A. Mizener, .J. C. Sturgeon, C. A. Curtze, F. Brev- 
illier, W. Scott, J. H. Davie, E. P. Selden. W. P. Bonney, J. W. Yard, E. Camp- 
hausen, J. Koch Jr., J. S. Rilling, W. T. Black, Wm. Hardwick, C. C. Shirk, J. 
Johnson, G. P. Griffith, C. E. Gunnison, M. N. Loyell, H. F. Watson, W. T. 
Black, C. M. Davenport, C. Jarecki. G. Carroll, W. J. Sands, A. K. McMullen. 

The grain received at this lake port for 1893, made the aggregate of 12,672,- 
403 bushels; coming from Chicago 9,926,718 bu.; Milwaukee 453,207 bu.; Duluth 
1,578,842 bu.; Toledo 713,634. 

It was shipped to Baltimore 5.682,550 bu.; Philadelphia 4,288,798; New York 
530,681; New England 74,376; local interior points 1,873,384; Erie local mills 168.- 
214; stored for the winter 54,400; total 12,672,403. 

Of the above there was of corn 8,085,355 bu.; wheat 3,334,043; oats 361,775; bar- 
ley 215,900; rye 244.244; flaxseed 350,392; malt 80,694. There was also received 
1.704,113 barrels of flour, equivalent to an addition of 8,520,565 bu. of wheat, mak- 
ing a grand total of over 21 million bushels of cereals and their products. 

In miscellaneous merchandise by lake, there was received 136,891,253 lbs. at 
this port: copper 4,819,270 lbs.; pig lead 11,088,467 lbs.; plaster 7,001 tons; st-^nes 
1,025 cords; pig iron 872 tons; iron ore 516,872 tons. The lumber report of 1892, 
was 12,918,000 ft., but for 1893, the lumber supply mostly came via the P. & E. R. 
R., the reciepts showing 28,280.000 ft. from that source alone. By lake 2.500,000 
pieces of lath were received and 2,750,000 shingles. 

The receipts of coal at Erie for 1893, were, via of P. & E. R. R. 648,904 tons 
of anthracite and 60,818 tons, bituminous; E. & P. 245,777 tons; Lake Shore 75,000 
tons; P. S. & L. E. 25,000 tons; making a total of 1,055,494 tons. More than half 
of this was shipped by lake to western cities. 

The present Board of Trade has not been a mere society in name, but active 
in many important movements. The re-establishment of the land lighthouse: the 
locating of the Soldiers and Soilors Home here; the continuance of the Michi- 
gan's winter quarters at Erie, and many others might be enumerated. 

With the Atlantic seaboard on the southeast. Lake Erie on the northwest, 
and the Ohio river in the southwestern portion, Pennsylvania has magnificent, 
water outlets for her boundless supplies of coal, iron, oil and manufactui-ed goods. 
The state has been gridironed with railroads, all built within the past half cen- 
tury. Even the Allegheny mountains, formed but small impediment to eng'neering 
skill, and in ma.ny places in crossing these elevations, grand panaromas ol pictures- 
que scenes are viewed from the windows of magnificent pai-lor coaches. The veri- 
est enthusiast of 50 years ago would scarcely have dreamed about traveling in such 
luxury or the present development of our resources. 



154 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Literary Work — A library company was organized in Erie as early as 1806, 
Judah Colt. Pres.; Thos. Forster Librarian; James Baird, Wm. Wallace and Dr. 
■T. C. Wallace, Directors: Over $200 was expended for books and the society was 
kept alive for several years, but in 1821 the books were turned over to the Irving 
Literary Institute. The Gazette of 1826, speaks of a Franklin Litei'ary Associa- 
tion, J. Moorhead, Jr., Librarian, but we are without further particulars. The 
Conneautee Library Co. was incorporated at Edinboro, in 1.S33. A. lyceum was 
organized at the Erie Academy in 1835; an Apprentice's Literary Society in 
1839; an Adelphic Literary Society about the same time and the Irving Literary 
Institute was revived again in ISd^. A Youth's Literary Society was started a,t 
North East, in 1858; a Young Men's Literary Association formed atGirard, in 1859; 
and another similar organization at Waterford the same year. An Association 
c&Wed Cus/os i1/«?r«»» (Guardian of Moi-ality,) was established in Millcreek, April 
1860, with 25 members, Jackson McCreary, Pres. 

Commissioner's Journal — Much information of general interest, is found 
among the records in the County Commissioners office. Friday April 2d, 1824, the 
commissioners signed the following: 

"It is agreed this day, between Thos. Forster and Henry Colt, commissioners 
of Erie County, and Robt. Kincaid and Cornelius Foy as follows, to wit; tlie said 
Kincaid and Foy, engage to guard and keep safe in the Goal, the persons now in 
confinement or who may be brought to the said Goal, necessary to their trial for 
such offences as may be preferred against them at the next May term, and if con- 
victed, tor reasonable time thereafter, for the sheriff to remove them. For this 
service the said commissioners agree to pay the sum of twenty dollars, in warrants 
drawn on the treasurer of Erie County." 

Banks— Miss Sanford gives the early banking history as follows: The act 
incorporating the Erie Bank passed in 1829. The first officers were R. S. Reed, 
President; P, S. V. Hamot, Cashier; J. A. Tracy, C. M. Reed, Samuel Brown, 
William Fleming, Thomas Moorhead, Jr., E. D. Gunnison, and D. Gillespie, Direc- 
tors. The capital stock was not to exceed $200,000, and it commenced business 
with $50,000. On the expiration of its charter, in 1850, its outstanding circulating 
notes were redeemed and its business closed. 

The United States Bank of Pennsylvania established a branch at Erie in 
1837, discontinued in 1850. The first officers were T. H. Sill. President; Josiah 
Kellogg, C. M. Reed, Wm. Kelly, G. A. Elliot, Samuel Hays, William Fleming, J. 
G. Williams, H. J. Huidekoper, Directors; Peter Benson, Cashiei\ When the 
parent institution at Philadelphia failed, in 1840, William C. Curry was appointed 
to settle the affairs of the branch in Erie. 

The fine building erected for its use at an expense of $70,000, was purchased by 
the government in 1849 for a custom house and post office for $28,000. The bank- 
building is faced with white marble, and has steps and columns made of the same 
material. 

The Erie City Bank was incorporated in 1853, with a capital of $200,000. The 
first officers were Smith Jackson, President; C. M. Tibbals, W. A. Brown. D. S. 
Clark, C. Seigel, John Brawley, James Webster, J. H. Fullerton, Ira Sherwin, M. 
D., J. D. Clark, Charles Brandes, J. C. Beebe, Directors; J. P. Sherwin, Cashier; 
Brua Cameron, Bookkeeper; S. E. Neiler, Teller. Suspended, 1857. 

Bank of Commerce (Erie City Bank revived) commenced business in April, 
1858. Directors— B. Grant, President; G. J. Ball, Cashier; C.B.Wright, Vice- 
President; W. F. Rindernecht, James Hoskinson, B. F. Sloan, Chas. Metcalf, A. 
W. Blaine, G. F. King, J. W. Douglas; A. W. Guild, Teller; suspended Dae. IS'oO. 



BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES 155 

Bishop Mullen was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, 1818, educated in fhe 
Theological Seminary of Casynworth near Dublin came to Pittiiburg over fifty 
years ago and served as pastoi* in Allegheny and Johnstown prior to his accept- 
ance of this charge. 

Catholic Benevolent Societies -Thpro are numerous fraternal insur- 
ance and relief societies connected with the difl'erent branches of the Erie 
Catholic church. St. Joseph's Mutual Relief sociely was organized in 1865, and 
St. Alphonsus Mutual Relief in 1868. St. John's Benevolent Society and St. 
Andrew's Society were each organized in 1872. Trinity Benevolent Association 
and the Portuguese society in 1874. St. Joseph's Branch No. 9 C. M. B. A. was 
organized Feb. 17, 1879; St. Patrick's Branch No. 12 was instituted Mar. 8, 1879, 
and St. Mary's Branch No. 15, Dec. 5th, following. St. John" i No. 1^, was organiz- 
ed Jan. 1881, St. Peter's No. 20, a few months later. Branch No. 98 Catholic 
Knights lof America organized in 1876; and Irish American Benevolent society, 
No. 295. The Hibei-nian Catholic Benefit Society organized in 1872 was re- 
Oi'ganized in 1877. St. Patricic's Temperance Cadets was also started in 1872. 

Early Marriages and Births The earliest marriages in this County, of 
which we have record, were Chas. J. Reed of Walnut Creek to Rachel Miller Dec. 
27, 1797; Wm. Smith to Elizabeth Wilson in Union tp. 1799; Job Reeder to Nancy 
Campbell, near Edinboro, 1800; Thos. King to Sarah Wilson in Union 1800. 

John R. Black was born at Ft. LeBoeuf Aug. 20,179"). M. Boardman in Conneautee 
Valley the same year; Jane Culbertson, Edinboro, 1797; D. M. Dewey, Wilnut 
Ci-eek. 1797; Matilda Reed, Walnut Creek, 1798; Elizabeth Holliday, SpringSeld 
1798: Hannah Talmadge, McKean, 1798; Wm. Dunn, Summit, 1798; Henry Wood, 
Conneaut, 1798; and on Apr. 20, 1799, Elizabeth and Ruth, were born to the wiveg 
of Abiathar and Elihu Crane, at the same house. Wm. E. McNair was born in 
Millcreek 1799, and Robt. Allison in Venango tp., making so far as we can learu, 
all births of white children in this County prior to the year 1800. 

Cemeteries — The first burying place for Erie was on the bank of the lake 
east of town. In 1805 a lot on Eighth near French Street was set apart as a 
Union "churchyard." In 1826 the Presbyterians purcliased four lots at Seventh 
and Myrtle streets, and several bodies were removed from the Eighth street cem- 
etery to the new location. The Ep/iscnpalians secured ground on ]\Iyrtle street 
near Seventh and St. Paul's German Evangelical opened a burial ground near their 
Church in 1859. The Jewish cemetery on Twenty-sixth west of Cherry started 
in 1858, continues to be used by the Hebi'ews. St. John's Evangelical Lutheran 
Reformed, early established a grave yard on Sassafras above Twenty-second. 

Trinity Cemetery — The lot on which St. Benedict's Acad<'my stands was 
purchased in 1837. This was consecrated Aug. 2, 1840, by Rev. Ivo. Levitz and 
used until! 818, when a lot was purchased on Chestnut above Twenty-fourth and 
the bodies removed from Ninth street. St. Patrick's congregation bought a lot 
41x165 on Third street near German which was first used as a burial place. In 
1852 Father Deane purchased a square of five acres where now stands St. Vincent's 
hospital, when the Third street lot was abandoned and the bodies removed. Trin- 
ity Cemetery on Eighth sti'eet four miles west of State was consecrated May, ]8fj9, 
with imposing cerraonies. The place has thirty acres which is nicely la^^ out 
in lots, walks and driveways and well interspersed with evergreens. Most of tho 
bodies have been removed from the other Catholic cemoteries in E"ie to hand- 
Some lots of Trinity. 



l;-6 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS. 

Churches, benevolent societies, schools and newspapers, have gone ua,Lia in 
hand in the education of tlie masses: and it is now very generally conceded, that 
the standard secret societies— which Viave hy many been considered as immoral — 
are highly elevating in their teachings and charitable in their work. It is record- 
ed that the first Sabbath school in the County was established in 1817. at Moor- 
headville, by James Moorhead and Kev. J. Morton, in a loij- school house which 
remained imtil 1857. The wives of Judah Colt and R. S. Reed, three or four 
years later, commenced the Sunday school work of Erie at their home. Mar. 25, 
]S21, a meeting was called at the court-house to consider the work. Suitable 
books were an-anged for and the school was regularly opened in May. It was a 
Union Sabbath school without denominational lines, for the study of the Script- 
ures. The scholars in attendance that season, memorized over 16.000 verses from 
the bible, and recited in concert the Lords Prayer and the Ten Comm.andments. 
Asa E. Foster one of the early principals of the Erie Academy, for 25 years, went 
regularly to the County jail to distribute t;acts and give religious instructions to 
the prisoners. 

A Moral Society was organized at Waterford in Dec. 1815, to assist the magis- 
trates in the suppivssion of vice and immorality, and other good works. Rev. John 
Mathews, Pres.; Dr. Wm. Bacon, Sec: Amos Judson, Treas. A County Bible So- 
ciety organized in 1824. still continues and will have notice farther on. A Female 
Tract Society was formed in Erie about the same time and continued for many 
years. Mrs. J. Colt, Pres.: Mrs. G. Sanford, Treas.: Miss E. Wright Sec. A Tract 
Society was organized at Wattsburg in 1828, with Rev. A. McCreary, Pres., James 
Nelson. Sec. ^Ym. K. Black. Treas. 

A Lady's Benevolent Society was started in 1843, and for many years per- 
formed a needed oharitable work. The Erie City Tract Society, organized in 1854 
represented the leading evangelical denominations and was officered by, D. S. 
Clark, Pres.; W. F. Liddell and J. D. Dunlap, V. Pres.: Rev. Jos. Pressley, M. R. 
Ban-, James Metcalf, Conrad Doll and, M. B. Cook, Managers. 

Temperance Societies were formed in Erie and Wattsburg in 1829, and in 
other parts oi the CLtunty a year or two later. The County organization roport- 
cd 742. in 1832, Judah Colt, Pres.: R. McClelland. V. Pres.: R. O. Hulbert, Sec; 
Gjo Selden, Treas.: Samuel Beedy, James Smedley, Jas. Nelson, Ira Phelps, 
Hugh Wilson, Wm. Gray. John Cook, Chauncey Graves. Benj. Whitley and Rev. 
Edson Hart Managers. The temperance work had a decided effect in lessening 
crime and paup3rism. The jailor in 1842, as his apartments were vacant, com- 
plained that the temperance people had combined to destroy his business; as his 
remuneration came from the boarding and care of prisoners. 

The Sons of Temperance, was organized about 1850, the Harp & Shamrock 
i'empprance Society, in 1852, and the Good Templars in 1856. A prohibitory 
liquor law was petitioned for in 1853, by over 100 ladies in Erie and Wattsburg, 
and a juvenile branch known as the Cadets of Temperance was started about that 
time. This was a most important undertaking and we believe would have accom- 
oli.-ibed more if persistently kept going than any other plan. Impress upon the 
b'vs. from eight to eighteen years of age. that they are undermining their physi- 
cal c:>tistitutions and dwarfing their manhood and moral growth, by the use of in- 
toxicants', tobacco, profane language other vices and exco'.-^ses. and tbey would be 
able to ^tar^ the battle of life with a sound moral and physical phisique which 
Y.ould willistiind the ordinary temptations and make of them noble men. 



ir,S ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

The Spelling School was for many years a social, popular and educational 
institute of considerable merit. There were not so many societies or places of 
amusement to attract attention at that time and both old and young would spend 
an evening of each winter week.at the spelling school. Two of the scholars would 
"choose up"' selecting by alternate choice, beginning with those whom they be- 
lieved to be superior spellers, and continuing until all who would spell had been 
chosen. Then came the tug of war, and one from each side, would stand and spell 
alternate words, until he missed, when another from his side would take his 
place, and thus the contest would continue until all from one side had hr^en van- 
quished. Then came a recess of several minutes, which afforded opportunity for 
other "match making," after which the spelling contest would be repeated as be- 
fore and finally all would stand up and spell round, each party as he missed taking 
his seat and the last one standing, being pronounced as "General." 

School of 1812— It will interest many of our readers to know that where 
now stand No. 2 School building,— formerly known as the High School— at 
Seventh and Holland streets, eighty odd years ago was located a log school-house, 
the tutor in which was Dr. Nathaniel Eastman. Still more interesting is it to 
glance over the roll of scholars who answered their names— but few of whom are 
alive. The boys were Alex. W. Brewster, Dunning McNair, Jno. McSijarren, 
Zjdekiah Carlis, Daniel Gillespie, Edward Hildebrand, Chas. M. Reed, VVm. 
A. Brown, Henry Rees, Wm. Hoskinson, Laird Foster, John Hughes, Charles 
Wilkins, Alexander Erwin, Jacob Snavelly, George W. Gallagher, B. Gillespie. 
J. Laird, Edwin J. Kelso, Samuel Brown, George Dunn, Wm. McDonald, Cyrus 
Reed, Jas. Hughes, John Dunn, Thomas Growatz, Wm. Bell, Benjamin Wallis. 
John Teel, J. McFarland, Albei't Kelso, Chas. Growatz, James Gray, Archibald 
Stuart, Samuel Erwin, Richard McCreary, Henry Shantz, James Wilson, Wm. 
W. Dobbins, Robert Erwin. The girls were Hannah Rees, Rebecca Rees, Sarah 
Brown, Kate Oiler, Elizabeth Dobbins, Harriet Rees. Julia Bill, Sarah Foster, 
Eleanor Stuart. Mary Brewster, Ann Laird. Mary McSparren, Mary Wilkins,Mary 
McXair, Sarah Bell, Dorcas McDonald, Eliza Wilson, Caroline Kelso, Mary Wal- 
lace, Eliza Cummings. Mary Curtis, Adaline Kelso, Jane Hughes, Eleanor Laps- 
ley, Ann Teel, Zebina Shantz, Mary Wilson. Mary Ann Lapsley, Eliza Hoskinson, 
Catharine McFarland. 

Erie County Schools— The old log school house, was an early part of de- 
velopment in this County, and wherever a sufficient number of children could be 
found, a "pay school" was started. Erie and Waterford each had a school in 1800, 
Manchester in 1804; and by 1812 nearly every township in the County was repre- 
sented by a school building, in which the subscription school was held at least 
three months in each year. The log buildings, with puncheon benches and desks 
pinned to the surrounding walls, provided poor accommodations; but it was r^ere 
that the nucleus was laid for the education of many of our great men. 

School houses increased from year to year and when the law for free schools 
went into effect nearly every district was provided with a place for educational 
facilities. Erie County wa^i among the first in accepting the advantages of the 
common school law. It was provided that each district, securing the State appro- 
priation under the school law, must raise an additional fund by c.irect taxation, 
equal to the appropriation, and the County Commissioners, by request of the 
Soliool Directors of this County, levied a tax of $2,000 in 18S5. for that purpose. 
Wm. H. Armstrong was elected in 1854, the first County Superintendent, on a sal- 
ary oi i'SuO per year. 



ERIE COUNTY SCHOOLS 159 

Under Gov. Rittier's administration, on a former pag'e. we noticed the incep- 
1 ion of the free school system in 1834 and its defense by Thaddens Stevens in l.^SB. 
The act of 1849, made the acceptance of the school hiw obligatory, throughout the 
State, and the law of 1854 providing for the examination of teachers, and the ap- 
pointment of County Supei-intendent forwarded the work. Tiie normal school act 
was passed in 1837, consummating one of the best and most comprehensive school 
systems to be found in the United States. 

Although Pennsylvania was somewhat late in adopting- a common school sys- 
t m, the State was liberal in the founding- of colleges and academies, proving th?'fc 
this Commonwealth while favoring education was doubtful as to the propriety of 
the policy to be pursued in educating the masses. 

Proviion was made at an early day for an academy in each county and State 
aid was given to colleges and universities. The Waterford Academy was incor- 
poiated in 1811, and Erie Academy in 1817. State donations of land were made 
for the endownment of each of these literary institutions, which are still in opera- 
tion. Academies were established at West Springfield, in 1853, East Springfield, 
in 1856, Girard in 1859, and North Springfield in 1866. These after a icertain de- 
gree of usefulness, were each in turn merged into the free school system. An 
academy was established in Edinboro in 1857, and re-organized as a State Normal 
School four years later. In 1870, the Lake Shore Seminary was organized in 
North East and fine buildings erected. The property was bought in by its prin- 
cipal creditor and in 18S0 was sold to the Redemptionist Fathers who dedicated it 
as St. Mary's College. It is now a preparatory school for young men intending to 
enter the Catholic priesthood. All the above institutions will have fuller men- 
tion under their respective local connections. The Erie Female Seminary, was 
incorporated in 1838, and for several years received an annual State appropriation 
of $300. Tlie organization never owned a building, was last kept in the Hamot 
house, and in 1866, suspended operation. 

It is said that the first regular school house for Erie, was built of hewn logs 
in 1806, by John Greenwood, for $30, which had been collected from the citizens 
for that purpose. Erie at that time had little more than 100 inhabitants. The 
teachers were Anderson, Blossom, Dr. N. Eastman and in 1812 Ebenezer Gunnison 
was in charge. 

The comjnon schools are controlled by the directors of the several districts, 
the State appropriation being apportioned according to the number of children of 
school age. Teachers must pass a satisfactory examination and receive a certifi- 
cate of competency from the County Superintendent before commencing their vo- 
cations. The Superintendent is expected to visit each school in the County with- 
in the year, and to hold examinations, at convenient places, for those desiring to 
teach. The Superintendents are elected by the school directors of the County, in 
assembled session and have been as follows: VVm.H. Armstrong, Wattsburg, 1854; 
L. W. Savage, Si)ringfield, 1860; D. P. Ensign, Erie, 1863, resigned after six 
months and Julius Dogmeir, Erie, was appointed. He was elected the next spring. 
L. T. Fisk, 1866; C. C, Taylor, Elkcreek, 1869; Chas. Twining, Union, 1878; J. M. 
Morrison, Miles Grove, 1887; Thomas C. Miller, W. Millcreek, 1890, is now serv- 
ing on his second term. The salary is but $1,500 a year, less than most other 
counties of like population I'eceives. 

School Statistics— The magnificence of the free school system of this State 
and County is scarcely comprehended by the casual reader, but the figures are 
astounding when considered in aggregates. The total receipts, for ths school year 



160 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

ending Jnne 1893, from school tax and State appropriation in Pennsylvania, aggre- 
g-a.ed the stupenduous sum of $17,413,301, of which about one-half was expended 
for salaries to teachers and superintendents, one-fourth to building and repairs 
and tlie other fourth to fuel and incidental expenses. 

For this County the State appropriation was $79,651, from taxes and fines, 
$217,837 of which $42,431 was expended in building, $152,866 paid to teachers, $94,- 
215 for fuel and contingent expenses, total expenditure $289,513. The whole num- 
ber of districts in this County is 524 and average number of months taught 8i. 
There are 95 male teachers and 539 females, the salary of the former averaging 
$43.24 and of ladies $28.51 per month. The average number of scholars attending 
is 11,524 and cost per scholar per month $1.37. The levy for school and building 
purposes averages about 4i mills. The County school property is valued at $270,- 
000, covering 282 buildings, with 330 rooms. There are 151 graded schools, in 14 
of wh:ch, the higher branches are taught. There ai-e 222 directors constituting 
the school boards. 

CORRY City has 21 teachers, all females; average salary $37.95 per month, 
school year nine months, average attendance 784, cost per scholar, per month 
$1.24; tax levy 71 mills, bringing $10,905. The State appropriation was $5,476 
and total receipts including fines etc., brought $16,878. Corry's school property is 
valued at $53,000. A, D. Colegrove the present City Superintendent, receives 
$1,500. 

Erie City reported 176 teachers of whom but five are males. The school 
year is 10 months; average salary of ladies $37.21 per month; average attendance 
4,457, per cent of attendance 92, cost per month, per scholar $1.24; levy 7 mills of 
which 2i was for building purposes; total levy $113,791, which with State appro- 
priation brought $143,329. Teachers wages agregated $70,650, fuel and conting- 
ent expenses $62,897. The school property is valued at $600,000. There are 18 
buildings with 127 rooms and seating capacity for over 6,000. The total enroll- 
ment for '93 was 6,575; children between 6 and 16 years, not in the public schools, 
1,200. 

The natural increase of the city is now about 500 scholars per year, necessi- 
tating the addition of a ten-room building each year. The night school, started 
in 1890 by Prof. Missimer, had an enrollment of over 400 for 1893 and '94. 

Since 1867, the city of Erie has been under a separate superintendency, H. S. 
Jones having served in that capacity until May 1890, when H, C. Missimer was 
promoted to that position. His salary is $2,700 per year. 

The whole number of schools reported in Erie County for 1860 was 288, aver- 
age number of months taught seven, number of teachers 389, average attendance 
of scholars 8,195, tax levied for school and building purposes $42,053; State appro- 
priation for this County $3,923. 

In August 1804, the lot on which No. 2 school building stands, was secured 
from the State for the u?e of Presque Isle Academy; but the scheme failed to ma- 
terialize and it was later given over to ordinary school purposes. The present 
building was completed in 1859, at a cost of $20,000, and at that time was consid- 
ered a superior building. In 1860 the city had a population of less than 10,000 
and was divided into the East and West Wards. No. 2 was reported as having 
' ') scholars and t3n teachers. The attendance at No. 1 is not given in the re- 
cords which we have consulted, but the West Ward was reported, as having a 
principal school and a branch in the upper part of the city, together recording 
530 pupils, under eight teachers. 



ERIE COUNTY SCHOOLS 161 

There had heen a decided opposition among several influential citizens, who 
protested against the building of so large a structui-e as No. 2, and the directors 
of the West Ward were controlled by the policy that a number of small houses 
were better than a large one. In accordance with this No. 3, a four-room, house 
was built at Sixteenth and Sassafras in 1863; No. 4, same size on Fifth near Chest- 
nut in 1865. The East Ward Board in 1865, erected a four-room house, though 
somewhat larger than prior ones. No. 5, near Twelfth and German; this was re- 
built in 1892 into an 8-room house worth $40,000. The West Ward in 1869, erect- 
ed a six-room building at Tenth and Sassafras, No. 6 which was enlarged 187.3^, 
and was finally pulled down in 1891, to make room for the mammoth "Central 
School" which is the crowning glory of Erie's public school buildings, The lot is 
valued at $30,000 the building in 1894 at 115,000 and when the north wing is ad- 
ded, which will soon be required, the entire premises will be fully worth $200,000. 

The enlargement of the district in 1870, made addicional buildings necessary 
and No. 10, foui'-room. was built at Fifth and Plum in 1871. This was rebuilt in 
1893 and at present has eight rooms value; of building $30,000. No. 11. eight-room 
was built in 1873 at Eleventh and French; No. 15, same size, the following year at 
Ash and Twenty-fifth. No. 8, eight-room, was built in 1874-5, at Plum and Six- 
teenth; No. 12 four room at Sixth and East Avenue. This was rebuilt in 1893, 
and is now a $30,000 structure. No. 7, eight-room, was erected 1875-6, on Twenty- 
first near Sassafras. A four-i'oom was built at No. 1, Third and French sts., 1877; 
No. 4, seven-room, rebuilt 1879; No. 13, eight-room, 1880-1 at Tenth and Ash; No. 
16, eight- room 1883, Eighth and Walnut. A building will soon be erected on the 
lot of No. 14, at Twenty-seventh and Wayne. A city lot is 82*xl65 feet and 
the school property covers over 40 lots; with an aggregate value of $150,000. The 
heating apparatus and furniture is appraised at $32,000. 

Clark's Business College— This educational institution has met with a 
phenomenal success. It was founded in 1883, by Prof. H. C. Clark, who had previ- 
ously conducted a business school at Titusville. Under a progressive man;ige- 
ment the Erie college rapidly gained in popularity and in educational facilities 
until it now ranks among the the best in the country. It was incorporated in 1890 
and when the Downing block was completed May, 1, 1892, the college secured the 
entire upper floor of this elevated structure, affordii^ excellent light and a mag- 
nificent birdseye view of the landscape. 

It is the purpose of this college to give students a thorough preparation for 
the proper discharge of the duties of business life, at the same time fitting them 
for American ciMzenship and to ea^rer upon any of the planes of professional activ- 
ity. The best wsvy of doing business is carefully sought out by the student until 
he has developed the practical skill req^uired to handle it as it is done in the lead- 
ing trades centres. The same practical instruction is given in the short hand 
and type writing departments, with a full impression of the great importance for 
absolute accuracy. Penmanship a^d mechanical drawing are in charge of mas- 
ter hanis and Clark's College h(*s long been noted for its excellency in these de- 
partments. The curri'julum covers a Preparatory, Commercial, Short-Hand, 
Mechanical & ArchitecLuial and Penmanship courses. The Actual Business de- 
partment has in operation a national bank, real estate office, wholesale merchan- 
dise counting room, commission ho-jssxi, insurance agency, transportation depot 
and post office. The motto here is to lea-. n a thing by doing it and thi^^^brhig-s 
the student face to face with the realities of life, 



162 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Public Press — Newspapers are great educators of the public, and Erie has 
had tlie requisite number of enterprising journals. The Mirror was started in 
the villag-e of Erie, in 1808, surviving but a few years, when its editor, George 
Wyeth, to avoid a prosecution for libel, skipped the town. The paper was 10x16 
inches in size and in politics was known as Federal Constitutional-Republican. 
The Northern Sentinel appeared in 1812, with R. J. Curtis editor. It was discon- 
tinued and from its material, in 1816, sprang the Genius of the Lakes. Later the 
name was changed to Phoenix, subsequently to the Reflector and in 1819 it was 
moved to Mayville, N. Y. The Patriot founded in 1818 was publised here for a 
year, by Zeba Willis, when part of the office was moved to Cleveland. 

Erie Gazette -The late Judge Jos. M. Sterrett, was intimately connected 
with the newspaper progress of Erie for nearly half a century. He was born in 
Cumberland Co., Pa., Feb. 19, 1800, and removed at an early age to McKean 
tp. this County. He served a printer's apprenticeship in the office of the 
Northern Sentinel of Erie, and was subsequently engaged for short periods in sev- 
eral distant offices. Returning to Erie in 1819 he purchased the material forraer- 
1/ ly used by the Patriot, and Jan. 15, 1820, brought out the first number of the 
Gazette. The annual files of the Gazette are still preserved and have been of 
valuable assistance to the historian in verifying dates and facts. In his salutatory 
Mr. Sterrett, then less than twenty yeai's of age, writes as follows: 

■'In presenting the first number of the Erie Gazette to the public, the editor 
feels all the solicitude of a youthful adventurer in the act of making his first en- 
trance on the stage of business, anticipating at the same time that this his first 
effort will in some measure regulate and determine his future career on the stage 
of action." 

Jos. M. Sterrett and Oliver Spafford, about 1830, purchased the copyright for 
Cobb's spelling-book, for one half of this State, and for a number of years it was 
issued from the Gazette office in Erie. Mr. Spafford was also at one time publisher 
of the "English Reader." 

Favoritism in political matters, appears to have been the order of the day, 
50 years ago as well as today. Hiram A. Bebe, publisher of the Observer, for 
County blanks and advertising at one general letting, charged $1,600, whei-e upon 
the Gazette offered to do the same work for $120. The Gazette farther said, that 
for 22 years past in which that paper had been doing the County work, the aver- 
age price had been but $60 per year. Jun. 2, 1842, Jos. M. Sterrett transferred the 
Gazette to Jno P. Cochran and Geo. W. Riblet, but three years later he was again 
the publisher and continued his connection with the paper until near the time of 
his death. I. B. Gara became a partner in the Gazette, Sept. 17, 1846 and the 
versatility of his pen aided much in the popularity of that journal for 20 years, in 
which he was connected with the paper. 

The Gazette was run as an independent paper until the Masonic agitation of 
1827, when it espoused the anti-Masonic cause, and later it became a Whig organ 
joining the Republican party when it was organized. Mr. Sterrett was at the head 
of the paper, until its purchase by S. A. Davenport in 1865. During those years 
his partners were John Shaner, John P. Cochran and I, B. Garra. Judge Ster- 
rett died in 1888. 

Under the ownership of Mr. Davenport, in 1875, the Sunday Gazette was es- 
tablished, it being the pioneer in that line here. It continued with increasing 
success, until its sudden suspension in Febi'uary 1894, on account of the religious 
scruples of its principal proprietor F. B. Brewer, i 



ERIE CITY JOURNALS 163 

While Mr. Davenport was owner, F. A. Crandall now of the Buffalo Courier, 
served as editor for several years, subsequent to which a number of different per- 
sons were for short periods connected with the office. 

In 1890 the office and good will was purchased by the Dispatch Publishing Co. 
since which the Gazette has been issued from the Dispatch press. 

The Dispatch was started as a weekly at Waterford, in this County, in 1851, 
by Joseph S. M. Young and, five years later removed to Erie. In 1861 the 
daily edition was started, and from that time until the establishment of the 
Hei-ald, the Dispatch was the only daily paper in Erie with the exception of two 
or thi-ee short-lived ventures in the newspaper line. 

Many ne\v.~^ i per men of brilliant reputation, both local and national, have 
been connected with the Dispatch at yarious times since its establishment. The 
one who first made it an important paper was the late B. F. H. Lynn, but his en- 
terprise outran his resources, and the Dispatch was succesively managed by S. 
Todd Perley, Azro Goff, now an advertising agent in New York, and Wm. P. At- 
kinson, now of the Hei-ald. In 1869, James R. Willard Esq., associated with Geo. 
Redway and A. B. Cook, bought the paper and Mr. Willard retained his connec- 
tion with it for fifteen years, during which time it was constantly improving and 
growing in influence and niiancial success. Eben Brewer, first became connected 
with the paper in September, 1871, and purchased a half interest in 1873, which 
he sold after five years. In 1885 Mr. Brewer returned to Erie and with 
his father purchased the Dispatch, assuming the editorial and business manage- 
ment Jan. 1, 1886. D. P. Robbins became associated with the paper as business 
manager Jan. 1889 and April 8, in 1890, the Dispatch Publishing Company Limi- 
ted was organized; soon afterwards A. F. Moses becoming editor. Mr. Robbins in 
1891, on account of declining health, retired from the management, and was suc- 
ceeded by Wm. J, Robinson, former County Treasurer, who still continues to run 
the Dispatch. A new fast press was put in, in 1893, and the office is well equipped 
and enterprising in all departments. Frank C. Bray succeeded Mr. Moses as ed- 
itor of the Dispatch, in 1892. Hon. F. B. Brewer of Westfield, N. Y. the presi- 
dent and principal stockholder of the company, died July 29, 1892, at the age of 70 
years. The controlling stock of the Dispatch is still held by the Brewer heirs. 

The Evening News, commenced in 1892 by editor Hathaway, fi'om the 
Cleveland World, rapidly secui-ed a large city circulation and was soon enlarged 
in size. It was purchased by the Dispatch Publishing Co. the following year, en- 
larged to a six-column folio, and is one of the renumerative publications coming 
from the Dispatch press. 

Observer, Graphic, Times —During the anti-Masonic agitation of 1830 the 
Gazette the only journal in the county, took such strong grovmd against theMasonic 
order and the administration of General Jackson, that the friends of both united 
to start a new paper. A company was formed, embracing P. S. V. Hamot, Edwin 
J. Kelso, Joshua Beers, Robert Cochran, Daniel Dobbins, Smith Jackson, and sev- 
eral other wealthy and active citizens in their time, who purchased a printing 
outfit and placed it in charge of T.B. Barnum. An office was opened at the north- 
v.-est corner of French and Fifth streets, from which the first copy of the Observer 
was issued on the 29th of May, 1830. Mr. Barnum was succeeded October 22d, 
1831, by H. L. Harvey, who continued as editor untl the spring of 1837. 

Anti-Masonry — The Gazette was Anti-Masonic in politics and H.L.Harvey, 
of the Observer Jan. 12, 1833, produced the foUov- in g editorial: ''The twin sisters 



164 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY, 

— Anti-Masonry and nullification — begotten by disappointment and ambition. 
The first strikes a death blow at the great first principles of our government — 
equality of rights — the latter would desti'oy the Constitution, by curtailing the 
power it has chartered to the nation. The career of both will soon have termi- 
nated in mutual disgrace. The Gazette and Observer were acrid in their editor- 
ial denunciations of each other and the former becoming severely personal, Ran- 
dall the owner of the Observer, in 1842, sued Sterrett of the Gazette for libel. 
H. L. Harvey tried printing a daily during the speculative era of 1836 
— being the first of its kind in Northwestern Pennsylvania — but the field was 
too limited to permit of success, and the paper suspended after a few issues. Fol- 
lowing Mr. Harvey the Observer was edited by Thos. Laird, until the early part 
of 1839; by H.A. Bebefor about a year, and then for three years by J. M. Kuester 
and Willard McKinstry, as partners. The latter broke down financially, and tho 
office, for a short time, was in the hands of E. D. Gunnison, as trustee, who turned 
it over in May, 1843, to two promising young printers, A. P. Dui'lin and B. F. 
Sloan, by whom it was conducted under the firm title of Durlin «fe Sloan. They 
remained in business together until Jan. 1st, 1856, when Mr. Durlin withdrew to 
take Horace Greeley's advice and go west, and soon after M. M. Moore became 
associated with Mr. Sloan in the business. This arrangement continued until the 
1st of Jan. 1859, from v.4iich date Mr. Sloan conducted the paper alone, with the 
aid of Geo. P. Griffith and others as assistant editors. Jan. 1st, 1861, after i pi'os- 
perous career, he sold the office to Andrew Hopkins. On Mr. Hopkin's removal 
to Erie, he induced Benj. Whitman to join him as associate editor. The latter pm-- 
chased the office in 1862, in company with J. I. Bt-echt, who continued an interest 
until 1865, when Mr. Whitman became sole proprietor and managed the business 
with marked success until he sold to R. B. Brown, Dec. 1, 1878. Mr. Brown, start- 
ed a daily Oct. 1881, continuing it for three yeai's at a loss. Hon. J. C. Brady was 
proprietor for some years, with F. E. Woods as manager and other parties have 
been connected for short periods. 

Original Subscribers — An original subscription list for the Erie Observer 
is preserved in the office of that paper. It is dated May 1, 1830, and announces 
that about the 20th instant T. B. Barnum will commence the Erie Observer. 
The Prospectus says: "It will be a defender of such principles as triumphed 
in the election of Thomas Jefferson for president and have since been 
maintained, with few exceptions. It will support the present administration and 
will necessarily be drawn into collision with the new party, or rather the old 
Federal party under the new style— Anti-Masonick — which is more dangerous to 
the people than any which has ever had a prior existence in this country." 

Other matters were referred to and then comes the signatures, as follows: 
JohnDevore, Peter Brown, Giles Tiffany, John Scott, Miron Hutchinson, A. Ryan 
Ira Woodbury, Sam. Loper, O. B. Lloyd, Wm. Doty, Asahel Kimball, Cyrenus 
Chapin, Nathan Salsbury, J. S. Saunders, Lewis Drury, O. Cross, Heni'y Teller, 
John Tinker, Wm. Nichols, Philip Bristol, Abner Currier, John Albert, John 
Patterson, Ira Allen, Jas. M. Kendrie, Zach. Thomas, John Salsbury all of Spring- 
field; James Miller, H. Hubbard, Willard Badger, Silas Stern, John Kelley, S. M. 
Wheeler, Otis Wills, Elk Creek; Elijah Drury, Zeph Keith, Jer. Badger, D. D. 
Lum, A. H. Sjeley, D. C. Clark, Fairview; A- C. Tiffany, Benj. Sawdey, Francis 
Randall, Lexington; also J. A. Smila, Jas. Johnson of Salem, O. As these names 
were all from tiie west end of the County, there was doubtless other papers in cir- 
culation in each section of the County, 



ERIB CITY JOURNALS 165 

Sunday Graphic was started in 1879, and for some years continued a precar- 
ious existence. In 1886 P, E. Woods sold the Graphic to J. C. Brady and became 
manag-erof the consolidated office. Hon. F. A. Mizener purchased the Observer- 
Graphic plant, in 1893, and it was conducted by F. S. Phelps and others, until its 
consolidation. The Graphic has made a marked success in the Sunday newspaper 
field. The Observer-Graphic was consolidated Feb. 1, 1891 with tho Daily Times. 

The Daily Times was started Apr. 12, 1888 as an evening- daily on the co- 
operative plan. In 1889 it was made a limited partnership association J. H.Kelley 
D. S. Crawford, John Miller Jr., J. J. Mead and J. F. Liebel having been tho pro- 
prietors until the consolidation of the plant with the Observer and Graphic in 
February 1894. Mr. Kelley has been editor, most of the time since 1889 and the 
paper has secured a wide influence as an independent journal. 

Evening Herald— In 1878, Profs. Jas. R. Burns and H. C. MIssimer of tho 
High School, decided to amuse themselves during vacation by publishing a dem- 
ocratic daily. A compact was made with Thos. F. Obrien, and the evening- Her- 
ald was first issued from the old Visitor office, on French street, July :iO, 1S7S. 
The late W. L. Scott was greatly pleased with the advent of the new dailj, and 
purchased the interest of Messrs. Burns and Missimer, continuing Mr. O'Brien as 
business manager. Mr. Hart of Philadelphia, for a time editor-in-chief was suc- 
ceeded in '82, by John Bocock, and he Feb. '83, by Nelson Baldwin. The lattep 
had for some yeai's officiated as editor of the Dispatch, for a time as editor oJf the 
Evening Observer and was not only well aquainted with the local field; but thor- 
oughly posted on political economy and the live issue of the times. Since his re- 
cent appointment as collector of this port S. E. Holly a newspaper writer of sever- 
al years experience, has charge of the Herald editorial work. 

Early in its history, the Herald absorbed the Lake City Daily, Wm. P. Atkin- 
son's economy job office, and the Mehl & Wallace bindery. Mr. Atkinson became 
business manager with Wm. Wallace in charge of the bindery. The office, has 
been increased from year to year until it is now one of the most complete i>i. inting' 
concerns in Northwestern Pennsylvania, 

The Sunday Messenger commenced issue from the Herald office Pebiiiary 
4, 1894, in seven-column quarto form and at once took a front place amoug- the 
standard journals of the city, S. E. Holly is editor in the Sunday department as 
well, and the Messenger with its metropolitan make up is a high class Sunday 
journal. 

Tageblatt"Zuschauer— Ti^ 1852, Erie had fairly started as a muanufactur- 
ing city and as there was a rapid increase in the German population, Mr. Scheuff- 
lin started the Zuschauer to disseminate information, among the people of his na- 
tionality. The paper changed hands a number of times prior to 1877, wl\en F. G. 
Gorenflo who had learned the printer's t.-ade in the Zuschauer office became its 
editor and propi-ietor. March 1890, Mr. Gorenflo changed the issue to a daily. 
The Tageblatt commenced Oct. 1, 1884 by O. Luedicke, was transferred to a com- 
pany two years later and Aug 1887, Hugo Held became the manager. The Sonn- 
tagsgasfc wh'ch was started by Frank Weiss in 1881, and which had secured a 
large general circulation was purchased from the Hei-ald office Oct. 1889, hy Tage- 
blatt Company and Oct. 5, 1891 the Zuschauer was consolidated with the Tage- 
blact making the present strong combination of Held, Gorenflo & Co. Mr. Gortu- 
flo officiates as editor and Hugo Held as business manager, making a prosperous 
daily and a widely read weekly German paper. 



166 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

The Sunday Globe, started in 1889, by R. R. Cornell, met with good suc- 
cess for a couple of years and in 1891 a weekly edition known as the Globe- Rec- 
cord was started. Mr. Cornell became financially involved and the paper was sus- 
pended for a time in 1893. It was revived in half size, six-column folio and in 
1834, continued to appear quite regularly. 

Arbeiter Zeitung was started as a branch office from the Buffalo journal in 
charge of Samuel Weiss as manager and editor, Aug. 1891. A year later Chas. 
Backofen came in charge and in the spring of 1893 T. M. Jahn became manager 
which position he still holds. The paper is an independent German weekly with 
office at Tenth and Pi-ench streets. 

The People was started by a co-operative company, Capt. A. J. Louch.Pres.; 
Walter Miller, Sec and Treas; Samuel Weiss editor. This journal is a strict ex- 
ponent of the People's Party and has received an encouraging support. It is pub- 
lished at No. 7 East Seventh street, its editor officiating as an all round newspaper 
man and student of the political situation, 

Erie Advertiser— J- M. Glazier a thorough newspaper man, started the Ad- 
vertiser, April, 1876, as a gratuitous weekly paper of small size. It was enlarged 
Dec. 1, 1877, and a nominal price placed upon it. It has since been enlarged sev- 
eral times being at present an eight page 48-column weekly. Mr. Glazier, con- 
tinued with the office vmtil Nov. 10, 1891 when the plant was purchased by D. P. 
Robbins, and for a yeari or two was operated by other parties under lease. April 
18, 1893, the concern was organized as the Advertiser Printing Co. Limited, sev- 
eral thousand dollars was expended for machinery and new materials and the 
plant equipped for book and job printing. 

The Highland Light was started in 1892, by Rev. Owen O. Wiard, in the 
interests of the Y. P. S. C. E. and the United Brethern church. Later it became 
the mouth piece of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and late in 
1893, espoused the cause of all the patriotic orders. Its growth and influence was 
phenomenal, and the old Advertiser list was consolidated with the Highland 
Light, Feb. 27, 1891, the journal since, having been styled The Advertiser- 
Highland Light; and being under the management of the Advertiser Printing 
Co. Limited. 

Other Papers — The Erie Chronicle was commenced in 1840 by S. Perley. 
Its editor removed to Girard in 1855 and became connected with the Girard Re- 
publican. The True American was issued in 1853 by Compton & Moore and this 
in 1855 was combined with the Erie Chronicle, James Perley and Henry Catlin, 
publishers. The Express started in 1859 by E. C. Goodrich was soon merged into 
the True American. The Girard Free Press was first issued in 1845 by S. D. Car- 
penter. The Girard Express started about the middle of the century, was pur- 
chased in 1854, by T. C. Wheeler and Wm. S. Pinch and name changed to the 
Girard Republican. 

.7. P. Cochran, commenced the publication of the Erie Commercial Adverti- 
ser in 1846. A. H. Caughey was its publisher 1852-3, when the Herald a monthly 
temperance paper was issued I'tom this office. The Commercial Advertiser passed 
into the hands of J. B. Johnson, who changed the name to the Constitution. In 
the railroad excitement of 1854-5, the press was destroyed by a mob. R. Lyle 
white subsequently took charge of the office and from it, issued the Daily Bulle- 
tin which suspended in 1858. Other County journals will have notice in connec- 
tion with the local history of their respective towns. 



PROTESTANT CHlTRCHES 167 

PROTESTANT CHURCHES— The Catholic Priests, who came with the 
French army to4his port in 1753, were among- the tirst spiritual advisers of this 
section, and in addition to holding- services at Forts Presque Isle and LeBcBuf, 
erected a log chapel near the mouth of Millcreek where divine worship was held 
for a half dozen years. Succeeding- these were English chaplains until 1785. 

The early pioneers of Erie County were largely from New England and ad- 
herents to the Presbyterian faith. Revs. McCurdy and Stockton, sent out as 
Missionaries from the Ohio and Redstone Presbyteries, preached in Erie, Water- 
ford and North East as early as 1799. The sacramental ordinance was first admin- 
istered in this County at the house of Win. Da idas in North East, September 27, 
1801. A "meeting house" was built on the present site of the North East ceme- 
tery in 1804. A log church erected at Middlebrook in 1801, stood for over 60 years 
as a memorial of early piety, and Judah Colt records, that several Presbyterian 
ministers visited this County about that time, but prior to the war of 1812 there 
was very little religious fervor in Erie. 

Rev. Robt. Patterson, a Presbyterian minister, preached occasional sermons 
in "Erietown" in 1803, at the same time supplying two localities in Greenfield tp. 
upoH a very limited salary. 

John Colby a traveling missionary who visited Erie, May 20, 1810, wrote con- 
cerning his call, "I had heard much of the town as being a noted place for wicked, 
ness. By way of comparison, it was called Sodom. Christian friends had told me 
that the people would not hear me, and I was credibly informed that they had 
previously fallen into a frenzy, burnt the Bible and sprinkled the ashes with 
whiskey. I walked through the main street, nearly half a mile long, with hat off, 
singing the 'Judgment Hymn,' hoping thereby to excite attention, tho' only three 
men, three women and four children made up my audience." 

Johnston Eaton was licensed in 1805, and July of the next year he began 
preaching at this place, Springfield and Elkcreek, receiving for his services $90 
per quarter. Rev. Eaton was stationed at Erie as chaplain during the war of 1812 
and in 1815 he organized the 

First Presbyterian Church, for three years giving one-third of his time 
and subsequently until 1823, dividing his time between this place and Fairview. 
From that time until his death, in 18-17, he continued as pastor at Fairview. 

Rev. David McKinney was installed pastor of the Erie church in 1826, and 
was succeeded four years later by Rev. Geo. A. Lyon, who continued as its spir- 
itual shepherd until his death, March 24, 187L Rev. A. H. Carrier, the associate, 
was installed a few months later and served as pastor for eight years. 

The cornerstone of the present elaborate church was laid in 1859 and. the 
building completed three years later. In 1891 a handsome and commodious.- chapei 
was erected costing with lot about $20,000. The church property now cover* two 
full city lots fronting 165 ft. on Peach street above Fifth. An excellent organ was 
put in the church Aug. 1894 at a cost of $8,000. Rev. Wm. S. Fulton was called to 
the pastorate in 1880, continuing in charge three years, when Rev. Jos. H. Selden 
came to the ministry here and did efficient work until his call to Cleveland in 1889. 

Rev. Herbert C. Ross, the present pastor and successor to Rev. Selden, is a 
son of D. A. Ross, Esq , of the Canadian Department of Finance and was born in 
Quebec. He received his education at Ottowa and Toronto, and was ordained to 
the Presbyterian Ministry in 1885. He has had but two previous charges, at An- 
caster for a few months, and at Knox church, IngersoU, Oot., where he labored 
successfully un'.il called to this city. Mr. Ross is a young man full of zeal and 
force, and has fairly established himself in the hearts of his congregatio>i. 



168 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

First Baptist— From the earliest settlement of the County there have been 
some adherents of the Baptist faith in the community, but not until the spring of 
3831 was any organization attempted by them. In April of that year a large reviv- 
|al took place in the First Presbyterian Church, and quite a number of converts 
;were made of Baptist proclivity, who with former adherents, in all fifteen, banded 
|themselves together and held cottage meetings. The membership doubled within 
a years' time, and on July 31st, 1832, at a meeting in the Court Hwise. The First 
Baptist Church was organized. In August, 1832, the present site on Peach and 
Fifth Streets was purchased, and steps immediately taken for the erection of a 
church. The building was completed in a little over two years at a cost, includ- 
ing the lot, of $5,958 and was dedicated Feb. 11th, 1835. Of the charter members, 
not one remains. In 1865 the church v/as remodeled at an expense of over $11,000 
and a new addition which connects the main and conference rooms together, was 
completed in 1889, at a cost of $4,000, nearly doubling the seating capac- 
ity. We must necesst*rily, pass briefly over its record of pastors. Rev. Zebina 
Smith, an honored c:tizen of Erie, was pastor of this church over 45 years ago, 
and his efforts were successful in adding large numbers to the church. 

Rev. Wm. Bainbridge, was called and ordained pastor, Dec. 15, 1865, and with- 
in six months over 200 members had been added to the church, of whom but few 
remain at present. During Rev. Bonsall's ministry, 1875-8, there was a division 
which threatened its dissolution, but under the charge of Revs. Gilkes and Fox, 
the church differences were all healed and a long standing debt lifted. Rev. J. 
Cyrus Thorns was pastor for 4 years. Rev, H. C. Hall taking charge July 3d, 1892. 
In addition to its old established North Star mission, and the Hope mission, 
started a month or two prior to Pev. Thorns' advent, missions have been planted 
and houses of worship built on West Eighteenth Street, and at the corner of 
Twenty-third and Reed streets. Motwithstanding the withdrawal of members, 
to form Wesleyville and Second church, the First Baptist church has above 550. 

Horace C. Hall was born in Cortland Co. N. Y. Mar. 24, 1853, and succeeding 
the public schools, was elucated at Reid Institute, Clarion, Co. Pa., thence going 
to Bucknell University at Lewisburg, in 1878, from whence he graduated in 1882? 
and was ordained as pastor of the Sharon Baptist church Aug. 3, of that year. 
In 1886 he founded the Protected Home Circle a popular fraternal insurance 
society, of which he has since been Supreme President. March 21, 1888 Hall 
Instiute was incorporated as a Christian and undenominational academic school 
under Baptist control. Aft«r nearly nine years in pastoral charge at Sharon, 
Dr. Hall was called to Pittsburg from whence he came to the First Baptist 
church of Erie where his efficient work speaks for itself. 

The United Presbyterian was formed in 1811 by members of the Associate 
Reform Presbyterian faith living in and near Erie, This place was then in the 
Monongahela Presbytery, which appointed Rev. George Buchanan to preach al- 
ternate Sabbaths in Erie and Waterford. He continued in this double charge for 
a time when he resigned Waterford and gaye all his time to Erie. 

Rev. Robt. Reid was installed October 21, 1815. Mr. Reid was a man of un- 
usual powers. Although frequently the recipient of flattering offers elsewhere, 
he remained with this conerregation until his death in 1844. 

At the first communion held October 29th, 1813, forty-nine members were 
present. In 1813 a church building was erected on Eight street, later known as 
the old yellow mectin<y house. It was a frame structure 33x45 feet and was re- 
placed by the prudent substantial edifice in 1837. 



PROTESTANT CHURCHES 169 

Rev. Joseph H. Pressly succeeded Rev. Reid and was followed upon his death 
in 1S76 by the present pastor, Rev. J. C. Wilson. Mr. Wilson is a son of Samuel 
Wilson D, D., President of Xeiiia Theological Seminary, and was born near Xenia 
in 1840. He graduated from Jefferson College at Canonsburg, Pa., in 1860, and 
upon the of>euing' of the war entered the army as a volunteer, remaining until 
the close in 1865. He then entered the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary 
at Xenia, and early in 1869 was ordained to the ministry. His first work was in 
Beaver, Pa.; the second in Philadelphia, and the third, his pi-esent charge in 
Erie. Mr. Wilson's pastorate, like those of his predecessors, has been a pleasant 
and profitable one. There are 260 members at present and the church is in better 
condition than ever before. 

The First Universalist Church was organized in 1844, and the present 
edifice built on grounds donated by Judge John Gailbraith. Rev. Henry Gilford 
had begun preaching in the Court House in 1842 and continued as pastor for a 
year or two after the organization, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. G. Laurie, 
who continued to fill the pulpit for three years. Succeeding the above came Revs. 
John Campbell, G. B. Maxham and J. E. Forrester, the latter holding the pastor- 
age for ten years. In 1865 Rev. Laurie again became pastor, holding the charge 
for a decade. Rev. A. A. Thayer come in 1876 and remained for about five years. 
Rev. H. A. Westall accepted the charge in 1882, remaining until 1886. Subse- 
quently Rev. L. D. Fisher occupied the pulpit for a year and in September '89 
Rev. C. A. Knickerbocker, who had been called some months previously, came to 
this charge. In 1891 Rev. Margaret Brennan took charge continuing for two years, 
when Rev. Howard MacQueary was called, taking charge Dec. 1893. 

Howard MacQueary was born May, 27,1861 in Albemarle Co. Va. Ac 18 years 
of age he engaged in Merchandising at Washington and a year later entered 
Norwood College Va., gi-aduating from the Protestant Episcopal theological 
seminary at Alexandria, in 1885. After ordination as deacon in the P. E. church, 
he took charge of Fairmont and Morgantown parishes, from whence Jan. 1887 he 
was called to Canton, O. For denying the virginal birth and bodily resurection 
of Christ, he was suspended from the Episcopal ministry in 1891 and accepted a 
call to the Universalist church at Saginaw, Mich, from whence he came to Erie. 

Chestnut Street Presbyterian had its origin in the establishment of a 
Sabbath School in South Erie by members from the Park and First Presbyterian 
Churches. The first meeting of the school was held in July, 1870, and until the 
first of December was nominally under the care of the Y. M. C. A., when it was 
taken in charge by the Park Preebyterian Church. Encouraged by its growth 
the Pai'k Church people decided to build a place of worship for the mission, and, 
using their subscription to the $5,000,000 memorial fund raised by the reunited 
Presbyterian Churches about that time, they erected a frame building, cor- 
ner of Seventeenth and Chestnut. It was completed and dedicated in 1871, and in 
the spring of 1872 Rev. J. R. Wilson began to preach in the church. The attend- 
ance increasing steadily, an organization was effected in 1873, and Mr. Wilson 
installed as pasoor. He continued until 1879, when he was succeeded in the pas- 
torate by Rev. A. C. Wilson, who remained until 1880. Rev. J. D. Kerr filled the 
pulpit for two years and was followed by the Rev. J. H. Edwards, who served the 
church for three years. He was succeeded by the Rev. R. S. VanCleve, who was 
obliged to retire in the fall of 1888, on account of ill health. Rev. Geo. V. Reichel 
served as stated supply for a time when Rev. Van Cleve returned and under his 
ministratious a new church was erected in 1892. 



170 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

V Park Presbyterian i' the rcpnU, of an eHwt to establish an Old School Pres- 
byterian chTTrch in E"ic, and dates its start from January 1856. At that time a 
petition signed by fiTteen persons was presented to the Presbytery which g-ranted 
the prayer and appointed a committee to organize. The first service was held in 
Cadwell's Block, on State Street. April, 29th of that year, conducted by the Revs. 
Wm. Wilson and S. J. M. Eaton. The next meeting was held in Gensheimer's 
Hall on June 2Sth. when the organization took place. The incorporators were: 
G. Sanford. J. W. Wetmore, M. Goodwin, Isaac Moorhead, H. Bates, J. B. John- 
son, C M. Tibbals. M. J. Clark, P. Metcalf, John Moore, D. W. Fitch. J. C. Spen- 
cer, D. B. McCivary. A. H. Caughey, S. S. Spencer, J. C. McCreary, M. Sanford, 
I. W. Hart, W. C. Curry, W. S. Brown. 

^ Rev. Wilson and others filled the pulpit until May 1856, when Rev. Wm. ^'. 
Blackburn became "stated supply." The membership grew rapidly from this 
time, and in 1857 the present house of worship was built and dedicated. On ac- 
count of failing health, Mr. Blackburn was finally obliged to leave this field of 
labor and was succeeded by Rev. George P. Cain. Next came Rev. James Otis 
Denniston, then Rev. Thomas FuUerton, under whose ministration the church was 
greatly strengthened. In 1877 a handsome chapel with church parlors v?as erected 
on Seventh street, adjoining the church, and in 1883 the interior of the church 
was remodeled and greatly improved, at a cost of over $9,000, including a fine new 
Jardine organ. In 1885 R. J. G. Patterson, was called and entered upon his duties. 

Bethel Work in Erie vp-as first inaugurated under the auspices of the West- 
ern Seamen's Friend Society, May 7th 1S73, Sr. Wm. Himrod being the leading 
sjiirit in the movement, assisted by a number of prominent citizens. 

The present property of the society, at the foot of French street, was pur- 
chased by the trustees on May 31st, for the sum of $15,000. It embraces a half 
square of land, facing upon Front, French and Second streets, with two large 
substantial buildings thereon. 

For some years the work progressed nicely, but the interest on the large debt 
together with deferred payments, taxes, etc., were too great a burden for the so- 
ciety, and the property was finally sold to satisfy the mortgage. It was bid in by 
a trustee for the benefit of the creditors, and held until May 1877, when it was 
purchased outright by the Western Seamen's Friend Society, and is now held by 
them unencumbered. 

The history of this Bethel reveals a good and noble work. For many years 
Mr. Himrod was the devoted patron of the society, until his death in 1872, when 
he' wag succeeded by his son, Wm. Himrod, Jr., father and son successively having 
been superintendents of the Sunday School since its organization. Although, 
necessarily of a religious character, the Bethel work is strictly undenominational, 
for the reason that its aim is to reach that large neglected class not touched by 
denominational effort. The society is dependent on all churches alike, and hav- 
ing a noble and necessary work, should receive hearty and substantial encourage- 
ment. 

Female Benevolent Society — A charitable organization with the above 
title was formed Nov. 10, 1843 and for many years did efficient service in the way 
jof relief. At its sixth anniversary in 1849, its total receipts, were reported by 
j^Miss E. Wright, Sec. to have been $866.41 of which but $7.20 remained in the 
ftreasury. For the year 1849, $167 had been received. As the treasury was deplet- 
ed and the winter coming on, an appeal was made for funds. Presque Isle Lodge 
!of Free Masons donated $50; the First Presbyterian church gave an entertainment 
in the cause which netted $63; the Methodist, Baptist, and other churches also 
laade eoUeoiions to further the good work. 



THE CIVIL WAR 111 

^ The Central Presbyterian Church is the offspring of the First Presbyter- 
ian Church, and was oroanized Feb. 2.'], 1871, with a membership of fifty-four per- 
sons. The first elders chosen were David Shirk and Joseph A. French. Shortly 
after organization the church extended a unanimous call to Rev. Charles C. Kim- 
ball, which he accepted and entered upon his duties May 11, 1871. For two years 
services were held in Temperance Hall. The chapel of this building was 
opened for worship June 8, 1883. It was built in the Gothic style of architecture 
of blue limestone, trimmed with Ohio sandstone and cost about $25,000. To the or- 
iginal membership of 54 have been added about 900 members, more than 500 of 
them on confession of faith, and to the Sabbath School roll, which originally num- 
bered but 35 have been added 625 names. The school has been under the care of 
the same Superintendent, Mr. C. C. Shirk, since its organization. 

On Jan. 27, 1888, the chapel was ruined by fire and the congregation, accepting 
the kind olTer of Post 67, held their Sabbath services in G. A. R. Hall for twenty 
months, during which time a new church was ei'ected almost on the site of the 
old one. It is a commodious edifice with alai'ge beautifully decorated audience 
room and a high airy basement, with rooms for Sabbath School work and for so- 
cial meetings. The church with its furniture, including the fine pipe organ, cost 
$42,000. During its existence the church has had but two pastors, the Rey. C. C. 
Kimball, D. D., one of the organizers, whoi-emained with the congregation until 
1878, and then Rev. Solon Cobb, the present pastor, whose term of service is the 
longest in the Erie Presbytery. He is a graduate of Auburn Theological Semi- 
nary, and came to this city from Medford, Mass. 

THE CIVIL WAR. 

Fort Sumter, a Federal arsenal near Charleston. S. C, was fired upon by the 
rabid Southerners, April 12. 1861, and the echoes of War resounded with a thrill 
from the Altantic to the Pacific, and from Canada to Mexico. Major Anderson 
was compelled to evacuate the fort April 14, and the following day, President 
Liiicaln called for 75,000 volunteers. The many party differences in eaeh section 
of the cjuntry were largely united in the struggle for unity or disruption of the 
Nation. It was a struggle between the North and the South, to which as a war 
policy, slavery the giant evil of the South, must succumb and the reconstructed 
Union bring harmony and prosperity to all sections of the United States. 

Capt. John. W. McLane, of this County was among the first to respond to the 
President's call for volunteers, and at once started to oranize a regiment for the 
three- months service. The response was prompt and as the families were left 
without bread-winners a fund had to be raised for the support of those left at home. 
April 22, the County set apart $10,000 to be used for the support of the families of 
those who had enlisted and at a "war meeting" held in Wayne hall Erie, Apr. 26, 
1861, which was addressed by, Wm. A. Galbraith, Geo. H. Cutler, J. H. Walker 
and others, $7,000 additional was subscribed. To the needy $3.50 per week was 
allowed to the wife, and 50 cts. per week for each child. Volunteer relief funds 
were subscribed in every villiage of the county. 

^Col. McLane had served in the M ixican war, for a dozen years, had been 
connected with the local military companies, and his call for volunteers issued 
April 21, was reponded to with susprising alacrity. 

The Three Months Men— As volunteers poured in from all parts of the 
County, a camp was established on the square baunded by Parade and Wallace 



172 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Sixth and Seventh streets. Waterford township and borough sent nearly 100 
men. Erie recruited five companies and hefore one week liad expired the 
regiment was filled and many turned away. Officers were elected on April 27. 
The soldiers left for Pittsburg at 2 p. m. May 1st, headed by Mehl's brass 
band. Next day they quartered at Camp Wilkins near Pittsburg and on the 5^h 
were presented with a handsome flag by the ladies of the "Smoky City." The 
Government had been unprepared for the conflict and the time of enlistment for 
these men was one third gone, before they could be supplied with guns and uni- 
forms. After six weeks of idleness in Camp Wilkins, the regiment was moved to 
Hulton Station 12 miles up the Allegheny, where they received muskets, but no 
ammunition for target practice, and as the President had now called for three- 
years men, this regiment was returned to their homes without having been reg- 
ularly mustered into the volunteer service. This was on July 20, the regiment 
having lost but one man. The original officers, largely from this County, 
were J. W. McLane, Colonel; B^nj. Grant, Lieut. Col.; M. Schlaudecker, Major; 
Strong Vincent, Adjutant; S. B. Benson, Q. M.; J.L.Stewart, Surgeon. Com- 
pany A, T. M. Austin, Capt.; A. McD. Lyon, First Lieut.; Strong Vincent, 
Second Lieut., followed by W. E. Bates. Company B, H. L. Brown, Capt.; J. P. 
Wittich, First Lieut., followed by D. B. McCreai-y; John M. Clark, Sec. Lieut. 
Company C, John Graham, Capt.; A. E. Yale, First Lieut.; C. P. lingers. Sec. 
Lieut. Company I, Frank Wagner, Capt. ; Peter Liebel, First Lieut.; Peter 
Schlaudecker Sec. Lieut. Company K, John Kilpatrick, Capt.; Thos. C. 
McLane, First Lieut.; Edward Caughlin, Sec. Lieut. The above companies were 
all recruited at Erie, and most of the men were from this vicinity. 

Company D, was recruited at Conneautville, J. L. Dunn, Capt.; J. W. Patton, 
First Lieut,; I. S. Krick, Sec. Lieut. Company E, from Waterford, J. A. Aus- 
tin., Capt.; A. M. Judson, First Lieut.; J. W. McKay, Sec. Lieut. Company P, 
from Titusville. C. B. Morgan, Capt.; James Farrell, First Lieut.; D. P. Sigler, 
Sec, Lieut. Company G, from Girard, D. W. Hutchinson, Capt.; J. Godfrey, First 
Lieut.; C. A. Pettibone, Sec. Lieut, followed by J. E. Pettibone. Company H, 
from Union, John Landsrath, Capt.; J. M. Sell, First Lieut.; W. W. Gould, Sec. 
Lieutenant. 

The Eighty-Third — May 3, 1861, President Lincoln called for volunteers for 
three years, unless sooner discharged, and immediately on the return of the three- 
months men to Erie, Col. McLane reorganized the regiment for this service. 
July, 24, he received an order to get his men together, who in the meantime had 
been dismissed awaiting orders. Many of the first regiment re-enlisted under 
Col. McLane and before the close of August the full complement of 1,000 men had 
been secured from Erie, Crawford and Warren Counties. The camp was at the 
old fair-grounds two miles east of the city and the regiment was systematically 
drilled from the start. It left for Washington on Sept. 16, 1861, and remained in 
camp there until March 1862, when it movc'Ki to the front. 

The Eighty-Third took part in the siege at Yorktown and was prom- 
inently engaged at Hanover Court House, Gaines' Mills, Malvern Hill, and m 
many other hard fought battles along the Chickahominy. At Gaines' Mills, 
June 27, 1862, Col. McLane was killed and much lamented by his regiment and 
corps. He was succeeded by Adj. Strong Vincent, Mehl's brass band continued 
with the regiment until Aug. 11, 1862, when by general orders the members were 
discharged and returned to Erie. The Eighty-Third participated in Pope's cam- 
paign, assisting in fighting the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- 



THE CIVIL WAR 173 

ville, Gettysburg and Spottsylvania. In fact participating' in 25 battles prior to 
the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox. 

Col. Vincent was mortally wounded at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. For valiant 
service he had been commissioned as Brigadier General, but died before the 
appointment reached him. By recruits at different times,2,600 men were mustered 
into this regiment and when mustered out at Washington June 28, 1865, the com- 
mand numbered but 400. The survivors in Sept. 1867, formed a civil society, 
which meets each year at one of the towns where the companies were recruited. 

In additions to Colonels McLane and Vincent, who lost their lives in the ser- 
vice, O. S. Woodward andChauncey P. Rogers held the command of the regiment! 
Hugh S. Campbell, D. C. McCoy and W. O. Colt, Lieut Cols.; L. H. Naghel, W. 
H. Dunbar, W. H. Lamont, Majors; J. M. Clark, B. M. Prank, Adjs.; J. M. Saeger, 

D. W. Clark, G. M. Boal, Q. M's.; Wm. Faulkner, E.P. Allen, J. P. Burchfield, 
Surgeons. 

The band members were M. M. Mehl, leader, Henry Meyer, R. H. Lynn,Chas. 
Bauschard, Wm. L. Brawley, Ambrose Clark, W. H. Daggett, John E. Eisentrant, 
John G. Freund, Wm. Gazier, Ahira Hall, Severns B. Hayes, John S. Hart, John 
Loomis, Chas. F. Mehl, James Morrow, D. A. Mills, Valentine Renner. 

Company A, from Titusville, C. B. Morgan, D. P. Sigler, D. P. Jones, W. O. 
Colt, E. L. Whittelsey, Capts.; Jas. M. Hunter, M. V. B. Gifford, W. S. Colt, First 
Lieuts.; Wm. H. Lamont, P. Hanrahan, D. R. Rogers, Sec. Lieuts. Company B, 
from Meadville, J. F. Morris, D. A.Apple, D. G. Saeger, Israel Thickstun, A, 
J. McKee, Capts.; Jas. Saeger, Orrin A. Hotchkiss, A. C. Montgomery, Harrison 
Raymond, First Lieuts.; Chas. W. Smith; Sec. Lieut. Company C, of Erie, 
John Graham, J. H. Borden, Capts.; Aaron E. Yale, J. W. Vannatta, A. B. Edson, 
C. H.Hubbell, First Lieuts.; Jas. R. Farrell. B. J. Goff. J. G. Grimier, S. L- 
Fluke, D. B. Foote, Sec. Lieuts. Company D, from Edinboro, O. S. Wood- 
ward, C. P. R:>gerd, J. P. Kleckner, Capts.; Isaac Keck First, Lieut. ;P. A. White, 
A. H. Burnett. See. Lieut. COMPANY E, Waterford, H. S. Campbell, A. M. 
Judson, B. A. Smith, Peter Grace, Capts.; W. O. Colt, Wm. H. McGill, First 
Lieuts.; Jae, H. Barnett, A. B. Langley, E. L. Whittelsey, Jas. C Percival, Sec. 
Lieuts, Company F, from Meadville, D. C. McCoy, Thos. A. Stebbins, C. V. Van 
Dusen, Capts.; Joel Smith, J. W. Marshall, N. L. Terrell, First Lieuts.; Aug. Mc- 
Gill, Wm. J. Gleason, J. P. Kleckner, W- L. Bennett, Sec. Lieuts. Company G, 
from Tionesta, D. S. Knox, G. Stowe, M, G. Corey, Capts.; T. J. VanGiesen, First 
Lieuts. ; D. W. Clark, John Herrington, B. A. Smith, Sec. Lieuts. Company H, 
from Conneautville, P. B. Carpenter, Isreal Thickstun, Capts. ; J. E. Wilson, R. B, 
Hynes, First Lieuts.; J. W. Foster, O. L. Hall, A. J McKee, Sec. Lieuts. Com- 
pany I, Bri©, H, L. Brown, J, M. Sell, J. H. Borden Capts.; F. C. Wittloh, First 
Lieut.; J, M. Claik. W. J. Wittich, A. B. Edson, Sec. Lieuts. Company K, Erie* 
T. M, Attstin, John Htchtman, Capts.; W. E. Bates, Henry Austin, First Lieuts.; 

E. W, R«©d, N. L, Terrell, Sec. Lieuts. In that most important battle of tlj.e 
war, Grs!tt«burg, the 145th, held the center of the battle line, the 83rd, supporting 
the left wing aad the 111th, the right. The 8.3;-d was presented with a zouave 
uniform and equipments complete, for being the best drilled and disciplined i-egt. 
in the army of the Potomac. The survivors, in Sept. 1889, erected a handsome 
monument on the "Round Top," to the memory of Col. Strang Vlcentnear where 
the gallant Colonel fell in the dreadful carnage. 

Cavalry db Artillery —Early in the campaign Captains Gregg and B^U of 
tiie regular aim^, opened a recruiting office in Erie for cavalry enlistment. A 



174 ERIE COUNTY HISTOKY. 

number volunteered for that service. The Perry Artillery Company a military 

organization of Erie, tendered its services and was accepted by the Government; 
C. F. Mueller, Capt. and Wm. F. Luetje, First Lieutenant. 

Navy Recruits — Some sixty volunteers from Erie, joined Lieut. T. H. Stevens 
at New York and Capt. Carter of the U. S. S. Michigan, by Sept. 10, 1861, had en- 
listed 100 seamen who were forwarded in squads to the seaboard. 

One Hundred and Eleventh-Sept. 2, 1861, Maj. M Schlaudecker who 
had been with the three months men commenced organizing another regiment, 
on the old camp ground. On Feb. 25. 1862, with every company fuU, this regiment 
accompanied by Zimmerman's brass band started for Washington. At Harris- 
burg it was given colors and christened the One Hundred and Eleventh. 

On the 9th of Aug. the regiment met the enemy atCedar Mountain where it 
lost 19 killed, 61 wounded and 13 missing. For 13 months it was in the very seat 
of war, participating in a large share of the memorable battles in Virginia and 
Maryland, among which were Antietam.Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. It was 
in General Hooker's corps while stationed at Acquia Creek. Col. Schlaudecker 
was honorably discharged in 1862. This regiment was transferred to the Army of 
the Cumberland Sept. 24, 1863. In December following a large share of the regi- 
ment re-enlisted as veterans and were given a furlough to come home arriving at 
Erie on Jan. 14, 1864. On returning to Tennessee the 111th, took part in the 
march through Georgia, having been among the first to enter Atlanta. During 
the severe fighting before the capture of that city, Col. Cobham who had been {pro- 
moted to the command of the regiment upon the resignation of Col. Schlaudecker, 
was killed and Thos. M. Walker became Colonel. For two months the regiment 
performed provost duty at Altanta and then joined in Sherman's memor"ble 
"March to the Sea." At Goldsboro, N. C. the 109th, which had fought side by 
side through the war with the 111th, was consolidated with the latter regiment, 
making together 885 members. It was mustered out of service at Washington 
July 19, 1865, and the section belonging to Erie County arrived home on the 27th, 
having been absent 3 years and five months. 

Col. Stainrook, who commanded the brigade in the terrible on slaughts in 
front of the Dunker church and the "bloody cornfield," presented the 111th, with 
a stand of colors for its determined stand in repulsing a charge of the enemy. 
The 111th, was the first regt. to plant its flag upon the top of Lookout Mountain, 
in the battle above the clouds. It was also first to wave the stars and stripes from 
the City Halls of Atlanta and Savannah after the capture of those cities. 

The principal officers were Cols. M. Schlaudecker, Geo. A. Cobham, Thos. M. 
Walker; Lieut. Col. Frank J. Osgood; Major John A. Boyle; Adjs. J. M. Wells. 
H. L. Blodgett, J. R. Boyle, A. G. Lucas; Q, M's. Alex. Thompson, Wm. Saeger, 
Noah W. Lowell; Surgeons, W. B. Stewart, G. P. Oliver, J. L. Dunn, D. H. 
Strickland; Chaplains, L. D. Williams, J. R. Hamilton. 

Company A, Capts. Josiah Brown, J. D. Bjntley, M. H. Todd, G^o. Selkregg; 
First Lieuts. N. E. Ames, Joseph Warford; Sec. Lieut. Cyrus A. Hayes. Com- 
pany B, Capts. Arthur Corrigan, W. P. Langworthy,W. B. Warner, Wm. Geary, 
J. J. Haight; Second Lieut. Marvin D. Petitt. Company C, Capts. Richard 
Cross, O. H. P. Ferguson; First Lieuts. Wm. C. Hay, John McFarland; Sec. Lieut. 
P. D. Fowler. Company D, Capts. Ellas M. Pearce, Wm. J. Alexander, H. R. 
Sturdevant; First Lieuts. Nelson Spencer, C. W. Culbartson; Sec. Lieut. W. M. 
Foster, Company E, Capts. S. M. Davis, P. S. Bancroft, F. A. Guthrie, Wm. L. 



THE CIVIL WAR 175 

Patterson; First Lieut. L. W. Kimball, Jesse Moore; Sec. Lieut. Hiram Bissell. 
Company P, Capts. John Braden, J. M. Wells; First Lieuts. C. M. Kingsbury, A. 
W. Tracy; Sec. Lieut Geo. Selkregg, J. L. Wells. Company G, Capts. W. A. 
Thomas, P. L. Gimber; Pirst Lieuts. Christian Sexaur, Wm. Mathers; Sec. Lieuts. 
Jos. Cronenberger, Val. Hitchcock, A. N. Kinney. COMPANY H, Capts. J. P. 
Schlaudecker, Wm. C. Hay; Pirst Lieuts. G. J. Wtiitney, J. R. Biyle, Wm. P. 
Gould; Sec. Lieut. S. S. Bloom. COMPANY I, Capts. Prank Wagner, Chas. 
Woeltge, Moses Veale; Pirst Lieuts. J. C. Teel, Henry Dieffenbach, W. W. 
Griffing; Sec. Lieuts. U. Schlaudecker, Wm. Saeger. Company K, Capts. J. J. 
Pierce, P. A. Mead; 1st Lieuts. A. E. Black, G. W. Clark; 2d Lieut. G. W. Smith. 

One Hundred and Forty-Fifth -July 1862, the President called for 300, 
000 more ti'oops, of which the portion of Erie County was to be 500 men. By the 
defeats in Virginia and elsewhere, the martial spirit had been somewhat damp- 
ened and it was found necessary to offer extra inducements to secure the quota of 
this County. At a war meeting held at Wayne hall the commissioners were ask- 
ed to appropriate $100,000 towards equipping a new regiment. They voted $25, 
000 to pay $50 bounty to each of 500 men, the city offered $50 additional and some 
of the townships gave similar amounts. In August 1862, the fair grounds for the 
third time was made a camping place for soldiers in the formation of the 145th 
I'egiment which was organized Sept. 5, and as it was at one of the most critical 
periods in the history of the war, after less than a week's drill, the 145th was sent 
to Chambersburg where it was armed and uniformed, and on the 17th, joined the 
right of the Union line at Antietam, rendering good service in preventing a flank 
movement of the enemy. After the fight, this regiment was upon the detail to 
bury the dead, some of whom had lain four days upon the battlefield and the 
sudden exposures to which the men were subjected before becoming hardened to 
camp life told seriously upon them. About one-fourth of the command was un- 
fitted for duty by the end of the first month, several had died and a number were 
permanently disabled. 

Dec. 13, 1862, the 145th, took part in the valiant charge at Fredericksburg un- 
der the lead of Gen, Hancock. Of the 5,000 men who belonged to the division 
nearly 2,000 fell in this dreadful charge. The 145th, had 556 men in line and lost 
almost exactly half in killed or wounded. At Chancellorsville, 150 men from the 
145th, were ordered to the relief of the skirmish line and failing to receive a com- 
mand to return, got within the enemy's line and were mostly captured. The 
regiment entered the battle of Gettysburg with but 200 men, of whom above 80 
were killed or wounded. The remnant participated in most of the Viriginia en- 
gagements in the latter part of 1863. The regiment was recruited early in 1864, 
almost to its orginaj strength and again went through the many battles and 
tedious marches of Viriginia. In the charge near Petersburg, the 145th again 
suffered heavily, losing about 50 killed or wounded and nearly 100 taken prisoners. 
In the spring of 1865 this regiment was in the Sheridan campaign and on May 31, 
was mustered out, the veterans of this section, arriving in Erie, June 5,1865, whera 
they were welcomed with great eclat. 

Upon Sept. 12, 1889, this regiment erected a statuary monument in mem- 
ory of its deceased gallant Colonel, Hiram L. Brown, of Erie. 

The principal officers were Hiram L. Brown, David B. McCreary, Cols.; 
Chas. M. Lynch, Lieut. Col.; Jno. W. Patton, Jno. W. Reynolds, Jno. D. Black, 
Majs; Jas. C. Hart, Adj.; Jas. G Payne, D. W. Winchester, Q. M's; Geo. L. Porter, 
Surgeon; J. H. W. Stuckenberg, Chaplain. 



THE CIVIL WAR 177 

Company A, J. W. Reynolds, Frs. J. DaSchryver, Horace McCray, Capts.; 
J.is. C. Hart, Fletcher Clay, Daniel Long, Elias Brockway, First Lieuts.; Wm. F. 
Brockway, Second Lieut. Company B, M. W. 01iver,Jno. H. Collom,M. O. Way, 
Capts.; Wm. H. Grant, First Lieut.; J. A. Muray, S. M. Birchfield, Sec. Lieuts; 
Company C, Dyer Loomis, G. T. Jewett, M. H. Bemis, Capts.; Ezra A Parker, First 
Lieut.: A. H. Rathbone, J. M. Fargo, Sec. Lieuts. Company D, D. B. McCreay, C. 
M. Lynch, C. W. Lyt.le,Capts.; .1. H. Hubbard, H. F. Lewis, T. C. Lee, First Lieuts.; 
C. H. Riblet, J. C. Mcintosh, Sec, Lieuts. Company I, Wash. Brown.G. G. Gris- 
wold, J. B. Hamlin, Capts.; E. W. Sampson, Geo. A. Evans, First Lieuts.; same 
S e >ond. Company K, J. W. \7alker, J. C. Hilton, C. W. Devereaux, S. V. 
Dean, Capts.; J. F. Wittich, S. C. Snell, G. W. Young, First Lieuts.; R. M. 
Brown, Second Lieut. The above companies were principally made up of Erie 
County men. 

Company F, From Warren Co., K. H. Stiles, Capt.; Richard Magill, Jer. 
Birtcil, First Lieuts.; S. H. Evans, L. B. Carlile, Sec. Lieuts. Company G, from 
Mercer Co., Wm. W. W. Wood, Thos. F. McCreary, G. F. C. Smart, Capts.; Jos. 
L. Linn, First Lieut.; J. W. Vincent, R. C. McClure, S. A. Ooborne, Sec. Lieuts. 
Company H, recruited in Crawford Co., A. J. Mason, J. Boyd Espy, P. W, Free, 
Capts.; H. R. Stewart, Wm. S. Trimble, First Lieuts.; same Second. 

The Draft — While enlistments were in progress for the 145th, volunteers 
were still being added to the navy and the cavalry company; yet so many were 
required, by the various calls of the President, that the quota of Erie County was 
still lacking and in the summer of 1862 a draft became inevitable. For the credit 
of the County, meetings were held very frequently and great exertions made to fill 
the quota. A number of the faint hearted, who lacked patriotism, quietly left for 
Canada. Mutual insurance societies were formed in this County and a fund raised 
to hire substitutes for any of their members, that should be drafted. The member- 
ship fee ranged from $20 to $50. 

An enrollment of the militia was made, under the direction of I. B. Gara as 
commissioner, preparatory to a draft. W. P. Gilson was appointed as Deputy Mar- 
shal, to prevent persons subject to military duty from leaving the country. B. B. 
Vincent was commissioned to manage the conscription and as the drafted mea 
were to apply upon the quota of this State, Gov. Curtin gave notice that volunteers 
for nine months, the time given for the conscription, would be accepted up to the 
day of drafting, thereby lessening the number that must be forced to bear arms. 
Under, the several calls there still remained 1055 men to be taken from this County. 
The quotas of North East and Springfield tps. had been filled and the names of 
citizens from these districts were not put in the draft wheel. Ministers, school 
teachers and directors as well as all who were under 18 or over 45 years of age were 
exempted. Of the number drawn some 3C0 were exempted by physical disabilities 
and 250 more failed to report, having made it convenient to seek a hiding place. 
The act accepted $300 instead of the person drafted and many were able to hire 
substitutes at half this amount. Before the end of the year about half of the 
drafted men had reported by person or substitute to the camp near Pittsburg, 
but as the service had been obtained with reluctance it was thought unwise to 
put them at the front and they were held in reserve. Most of them returned homo 
the following summer without having seen battle. The city of Erie appropriated 
$45,000 to the relief of the families of drafted men and the Ladies Aid Society sup> 
plied each household with a thanksgiving turkey^ 



178 ERIE COUKTY HISTORY. 

The Second Draft— ^arly in 18R3. an act was passed by Congress to take the 
conscription of men from State authority and place it in the hands of the Govern- 
ment; under the supervision of a provost marslial, an enrolling commissioner and 
examining surgeon. Col. H. S. Campbell late of the 83d. was appointed marshal, 
Jerome Powell of Elk county, commissioner for this Congressional district and 
Dr. John Macklin of Jefferson Co. as surgeon. Hi adquarters were established at 
Waterford and the em-oUment made in May and June 1863. It was about this 
time that the State was invaded by the Confederate army and the Governor made 
an urgent appeal for men to defend Penn'a. A masb meeting was addressed at Erie 
on the evening of June 15, by Messrs. Galbraith, Lcwry, Sill, Marvin, McCreary 
and Walker and about 400 citizens enlisted for the emergency. They were held 
at Pittsburg in reserve, until after the battle of Gettysburg, when the invaders 
beat a hasty retreat and the emergency men were i-eturned to their homes. As 
before, a number of persons, hied themseves to Canada to avoid the draft and as 
the best blood had enlisted before, a great share of those remaining, were exempt 
on account of physical disabilities. The list was drawn at Waterford on Aug. 24 
and 25. About 1,500 names were drawn at this time and the prices of substitutes 
ran up to $300. A month later it was announced that 83 conscripts had furnished 
substitutes, 245 paid $300 commutation in lieu thereof; 706 had been exempted by 
the surgeon and several whose names were drawn could not be found. Besides 
substitutes, 127 drafted men from this county reported at Pittsburg in the latter 
part of September. 

In October 1863, President Lincoln called again for 300,000 more men. Penn- 
sylvania's quota was announced as 38.268, and Gov. Curtin made an urgent appeal 
for volunteers. A bounty of $400 was offered to veterans for re-enlistment and 
$300 was given to new recruits. Many of the cities and districts offered $50 to 
$100 additional. 

Erie County's quota of the men called for in the fall of 1863, was 673 men, 
which by a determined effort were secured without a draft. The re-enlisted men 
of the 111th, were allowed to apply on this and on their return to Erie Jan. 14, 1864) 
they were treated to a sumptuous repast in Wayne hall. The regiment remained 
here recruiting until Feb. 25, when with nearly full ranks it returned to the seat 
of war. Two recruiting officers were kept busily engaged in Erie, in the ecrly 
part of 1864; and several squads of negroes were enlisted at Waterford to apply 
upon the quota of this County. In July, 1864, as the time for many of the soldiers 
had expired and the war was still slowly progressing. President Lincoln, backed 
by public sentiment, determined to make a masterly effort to stamp out the re- 
bellion without unnecessary delay and called for 500,000 more men. Lively hust- 
ling was now the order of the day to avoid further necessity of a draft, as the 
quota of this County in the above call was 1,289, the city's proportion of this being 
only about 150. Asa Battles. John W. Haider man and Richard Broas, were de- 
puted to go to the southwest and secure refugee negroes. The effort, resulted in 
the enlistment of quite a number of negroes. Ensign Bone opened an office for 
navy recruits and several hundred men were shipped for water service. An 
average bounty of $400 was received in 1864, and the price of substitutes in some 
instances was as high as $600 to $700. _As late as Nov. 1864, two companies of 
Home Guards for State defense were raised in Erie. 

) The call for 300,000 more men, Jan. 1865, caused the city council to increase 
its special bounty to $150 and subsequently this was raised to $100. The final draft 
•.ook ,i»lace at Ridgway March 6th, 1865, when every district in this County, ex- 



THF> CIVIL WAR 179 

cepting Girard boroug-h, was called upon for additional men. It was a time when 
war's stern realities must be met and with unflinciiing courage the American 
freemen accepted the inevitable. The surgeons were not inclined to grant ex- 
emption as easily as at former periods and most of the men who were unable to 
hire substitues promptly took up their guns for general duty around Washington. 
This relieved a large force of old soldiers and the "on to Richmond" cry re- 
sounded, bringing with it the surrender at Appomattox, April 9th, and virtually 
the close of the war. By June most of the drafted men had been returned to 
their homes and the main army was rapidly disbanded. 

Various Happenings — As war with Great Britain was feared in the early 
part of 1862, a committee of Erie citizens was sent to Washington to urge that 
Erie be made a naval station. In Sept. 1862 the State authorities became alarmed 
for the safety of Harrisburg and a call was made for minute men to organ ize for 
State duty only. Six companies left this County for Harrisburg, in response to 
the Governor's call among whom were a number of Erie's leading business men. 
They were kept in camp but a few weeks when the thi-eatened invasion of Penn- 
sylvania died out and was not repeated till the latter part of June 1863, as recorded 
on a former page. The minute men returned home in October having had but a 
short military experience. 

Soldier's Monuments — This County enjoys the distinction of having 
erected the first monument in memory of Pennsylvania soldiers who lost their lives 
in defense of the Union. This stands in the centre of the public square at Girard, 
cost $60,000 and was paid for by Dan Rice the well known showman. It was ded- 
icated Nov. 1, 1865, in the presence of a vast multitude. Gov. Curtin of this 
State and Gov. Todd of Ohio were present and made speeches for the occasion. 

The Soldiers and Sailors monument erected near State street on the West Pai'k 
in 1872, is one of the handsomest of its kind and adds greatly to the attractiveness 
of Central Park. Mrs. Isaac Moorhead.Miss Sarah Reed and Miss Helen Ball were 
the leading spirits in securing the fund for its erection. 

An Anti-Slaverv Society was formed as early as 1836. Col. J. M. Moorhead 
was chosen President, and William Gray, Secretary. The principal members were 
Philetus Glass, Dr. S. Smedley and Truman Tuttle, of North East; Col. Moorhead, 
Mr. Jessup and Samuel Low, of Harborcreek; William Himi^od, Alex Mehaffey 
and Aaron Kellogg, of Erie; Giles and Hamlin Russell of Millcreek; Stephen 
C- Lee, of Summit; Rev. T. H. Burroughs, of Concord, and William Grav, of 
Wayne. Another society was formed in North East about the same time, with 
Truman Tuttle as President, James Duncan as Vic^ President, Dr. E. Smedley as 
Secretary and R. L. Loomis as Treasurer. 

The "underground railroad," which was the name generally given to the 
system by which slaves from the South were run away from their masters, was in 
full opej'ation in this County from about 1840 to 1860. The slaves usually made 
their escape from the South by way of Washington county, Penn., and from there 
were helped along through Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence, Mercer and Crawford 
counties, to the lake shore. There were regular stations along the route, where 
zealous anti-slavery people openly defied the law and gave the runaway slaves 
food, shelter and money. The chief "station agen's," as they ware jokingly call- 
ed in Erie County, were W. Gray, Stephen C. Lee, Hamlin Russell and William 
Himrod. The slaves were secreted in Erie until a good chance offered to send 
them to Canada. Many romatic stories are told of the skill and despei*ation dis- 
played in keeping the slaves from being captured and returned to the South. 



180 ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

SECRET AND SOCIAL SOCIETIES. 

The order of Crusaders, or Knights of the Temple, which was organized in 
1096 with the avowed intent of wresting Jerusak-ra and the H^oly Land from the 
hands of the Turks, was the earliest modern secret society of whcih we have au- 
thentic record. This organization assumed a military character and many thous- 
ands of lives were sacrificed in a religious zeal. 

Free Masons— Free Masonry has its rites and ceremonies founded upon the 
traditions of the building of King Soloman's Temple, but its distinct origin may 
be said to have been lost in remote antiquity. It is undoubtedly an ancient and 
respectable institution, embracing among its members men of every rank and con- 
dition of life, and stands prominent among the institutions established for the im- 
provement of mankind. It is said that ancient Master Masons met at York, A. D., 
926 and one Scottish lodge has written records extending back to 1599. In 1717. 
four lodges united to form the first regular Grand Lodge, of England, dropped 
the operative restriction of the order and from this time the advent of specula- 
tive Free Masonry may properly be dated. It soon spread to France and other 
countries of the continent, and in 1733 was introduced in America. Geo. Wash- 
ington, by a dispensation, received the degrees before attaining his majority and 
started the fii"st true American lodge which he organized and conducted asAmer- 
can Union Lodge.No. 1. in the Colonial army. At present there is no civilized coun- 
try on the globe in which it has not gained foothold, and its membership exceeds 
3,000,000. numbering in its ranks many of the most celebrated men of the age, cov- 
ering all shades of religious and political belief. 

Webb's Masonic monitor, printed in 1812, contains a list of lodges working 
under Pennsylvania jurisdiction, among which is mentioned No. 124, of Erie Bor- 
ough. Wayne lodge No. 112 P. & A. M., was instituted in 1813, with Giles San- 
ford, W. M.; Thos. Rees, S. W.; J. C. Wallace, J. W.; R. S. Reed, Treas. It sus- 
pended in anti-Masonic times and there appears to have been no Masonic lodge, 
here until Presque Isle lodge was instituted in 1852, H.Pelton, W. M. This subse- 
quently suspended. 

Tyrian, 362, A. F. &. A. M. was instituted May, 4, 1866, O. A. Dolph, W. M.: 
J. S. Childs, S. W.; W. F. Price, J. W.; S. T. Perley, Sec; J. H. Lord, Treas! 
The officers for 1894 were H. E. Fish, W. M.: J. S. Rilling, S. W.; Absalom Rey- 
nolds, J. W.; Christian Kessler, Treas.; A. M. Blinn, Sec. The Past Masters are 
O. A. Dolph, A. A. Craig, Wm. Himrod, S. B. Kennedy, S. D. Wager, W. R. 
Gray, J. R. Sherwood, W. C. Hubbell, W. F. Rindernecht, Jr., A. B. Aitkeu. J. 
C. Brady, Peter Barkey, A. P. Burton, D. S. Crawford, J, A. Reynolds, L. Fel- 
heim, G. D. Burton, Wm. J. Kennedy. 

Perry Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M.was organized in 1867, with Jay 
S. Childs as first W. M.; A. A. Adams, S. W.; J. W. Swalley, J. W.; Silas Clark, 
Treas.; H. C. Rogers, Sec. 

The officers for 1894, were W. S. Foster, W. M.; Park Densmore, S. W.; E. A. 
Davis, J. W.; J. L. Sternberg Treas.; R. C. Koehler Secretary. The Past Masters 
are James Hoskinson, E. W. Reed, C.W. Stranahan, G. W. Starr, O. C. Briggs, F. 
J. Bassett, T. H. Carroll, L. F. White, Frank McSparren, J. L. Sternberg, W. F. 
Farrar, T. H. Cole, L. D. Davis, D. A. Sawdey, W. B. Flickinger, A. J. Johnson, 
J. H. Willitims. (Dead Past Masters are not included.) 

Keystone Lodge 455, F. & A. M. was organized Jan. 1870, J. J. Wadsworth, 
W- M.; G. F. Cain, S. W.; G. V. Maus, J. W.; M. Taylor, Sec; J. L. Stewart, 



BEGISTERED PHYSICIANS 181 

Physicians— Dr. John C. Wallace, who located in Erie, 1803, was the first 
resident physician here and was elected first burgess of the borough 1806 In the 
war of 1812, he served as a colonel and assisted in caring for the sick and wounded 
brought to the hospital here after Perry's battle. He continued in practice until 
shortly before his death Dec. 8, 1827. Dr. Wm. M. Wallace a nephew succeeded 
to a large share of his practice and continued in the profession here for nearly 50 
years, dying Nov. 14, 1878. Dr. Plara Thayer located in South Erie, Fed- 
eral Hill, in 1811 and was soon after, joined by his brother. Dr. Albert Thayer, 
the father of Dr. Alvin Thayer, now the oldest resident physician in Erie, he hav- 
ing commenced in practice here over 50 years ago. Dr. Asa Coltrin located in 
1815, practicing until his death Nov. 1824. Dr. Peter Christie was surgeon to 
the first marine hospital at this port and did some general practice. Dr. Wm. 
Johns located in Erie 1822: Drs. Taber and Bebe 1825; Dr. Peter Faulkner, the 
father of the late Drs. William and Robert Faulkner, fii-st located in South Erie, 
1825, and after a time removed to Crawford Co., returning to Erie in 1848, where 
he continued until his death. Dr. Sanford Dickinson, whose grandsons are now 
in practice here, removed from Wattsburg to Erie in 1840. Dr. James Smedley 
was one of the first physicians at North East; Dr. Ira Sherwin located at Harbjr- 
creek in 1825; Dr. W. T. Bradley in Wesleyville about 1840. Dr. Rufus Hills, 
practiced at Girard for several years, prior to 1830, when he changed to Erie. 
Dr. Jacob Vosburg located in Ei'ie, 1825; soon after accepting Dr. M. C. Kellogas a 
partner. The latter moved to Girard in 1831. Later he removed to Albion where 
he died in 1855. 

By an Act of the Legislature passed June 8, 1881, every person who practiced 
sugery. or who prescribed for gain, was required to present his medical diploma, 
to the Prothonatary, make a copy thereof for registry and testify that the same 
was genuine. In case the person had no diploma, he could testify to haying been 
an active practitioner since 1871 and thereby register. 

Sec. 7 of the aforesaid act reads as follows: "Any practitioner who shall pre- 
sent to the faculty of an institution for endorsement, or to any Prothonotary a di- 
ploma which has been obtained fraudulently, or is in whole or in part a forgery. 
or shall make affidavit to any false statement to be filed or registered, — or shall 
practice medicine or surgery without conforming to the requirements of this Act. 
— or shall like- wise violate or neglect to complv with any of the pi-ovisions of this 
Act, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be punished 
for each and every offense by a fine of one hundred dollars: one-half to be paid to 
the prosecutor and the other half to be paid to the county — or be imprisoned in 
the county jail of the proper county for a term not exceeding one year, or both, or 
either at the discretion of the court." 

Erie County's Registered Physicians. 

The registrations under this Act are hei-ewith given by cities and towns. 

NAME LOCATION DIPLOMA WHERE FROM DATE. 

H. C. S^,atzer, Insane Asylum Homoeopathic Hospital Med. Coll. 1886 

H.R.Hayes, Amity, Practice of Medicine since. 1865 

Wm. S. Hubbard, Albion, Pulte Medical College. Cincinnnti. O. 1887 

P. D F'o.ver, Albion, University of Med. and Surg., Phila., 1869 

O. Logan. Albion, Practice of Medicine sincj 1856 

*Jas. S. Skeela, Albion, Western Reserve Med. Coll., Cleve., 1848 

L. D. Church, Cherry Hill, Practice of Medicine since, 1858 
* Died. II Dentists. X Druggists. f Rjxnoved from County. 



182 

tMrs. F. H. Stanford, 
*A. S. Bonsteel, 

C. B. Kibler, 
H. O. Mackres. 
*D. C. Storer, 
*Manhatten Picket, 
G. A. Elston, 
*John B. Chase. 

D. E. De Ross, 

B. H. Phelps. 
tH. S. Tanner, 
O. L. Abbey, 
D. A. Franklin, 
Chas. A. Bush, 
Olive Shannon, 
J. V\f. Chase, 
G. W. Waggoner, 

C. H. McCoy, 
M. L. Adams, 
H. W. Thayer, 
R. N. Seaver, 
F. A. Beebe, 

David P. Robbins, 
*J. L. Stewart, 
tA. S. Lovett, 
XB. A. Smith, 
P Barkey, 
*H. A. Spencer, 
tJno. M. Lewis, 
J. C. M. Di-ake, 
tJennette Caldwell. 
Mary A. B. Woods. 
*W. C. Evans, 
tA. S. Gregory, 
M. C. Dunigan, 
*E. W. Germer, 
Alvin Thayer, 
*William Faulkner, 
Adella Brindle Woods 
*R. Faulkner, 
J. T. Clarke, 
A. Z. Randall, 
Geo. A. Carries, 
J. E. Silliman, 
tR. D. Tipple, 
Thomas H. Gray, 
*Charles E. French, 
W. K. Cleveland, 
*Charles Aichner, 

D. H. Strickland. 
Edward Cranch, 
Charles Brandes. 
*Geo. Ulrich, 
C. W. Stranahan. 

E. D. Gates, 
A. A. Woods. 
J. H. Kirk. 
Peter Hall, 
*Sasan Meyer, 
*John S. Carter, 
A. A. Freeman, 
JE. B. Fletcher. 



ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 

Corry, Boston University School of Medicine. 

Corry, Bellevue Hosp. Medical College N. Y., 1872 

Corry, University of Buffalo New York, 1870 

Corry, University of Buffalo New York, 18G7 

Corry, Practice of Medicine since, 1862 

Corry, Medical University. Buffalo, 1869 

Corry, Med. Dept. University, of N. Y. 1880 

Corry, American Med, Coll. of Cincinnati, 

Cori'y, Eclectic Medical Coll. of Cincinnati, 1875 

Corry, Cleveland Med. Coil, of Cleveland, 1871 

Corry. Eclectic Coll. of Med., Cincinnati, 185ft 

Corry, University of Buffalo, N. Y., 1863 

Corry, Eclectic Institute Cincinnati, 1850 

Corry, Practice of Medicine since, ii^71 

Corry, Free Med. Coll. for women, 1875 

Corry, Western University of Pittsburg, 1885 

Corry, Hahnemann Med. Coll. Chicago, 1882 

Corry. Practice of Medicine since, 1869 

Corry. Homoeopathic Hospital College, 

Corry, Rush Medical College, 

Corry, Uniyersity of Wooster, Ohio, 1874 

Corry, University of Wooster, Ohio, 1880 

Erie, Ann Ar^bor University of Michigan, 1866 

Erie, University of Penn'a, of Philadelphia, 1847 

Erie, University of Mich., Ann Arbor 1871 

Erie, Practice of Medicine since 1866 

Erie, University of Med. and Surg., Phil., 1871 

Erie, West. Reserve College, Cleveland, ]851 

Erie, Bellevue, Hosp. Med. College, N. Y., 1880 

Erie, Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago. 1880 

Erie, Homeopathic Med. Coll. of N. Y., ' 1876 

Erie, West. Homoepathic Coll., Cleveland. 1884 

Erie, West. Reserve College, Cleveland, 1854 

Erie, Union Coll. of Med. and Surg., Phil., 1872 

Erie, Bellevue Medical College, 1875 

Erie, Medical College of Vienna, 1858 

Erie, Practice of Medicine since 1845 

Erie, Geneva Medical College, N. Y. 1842 

Erie, Woman's Medical College, Penn'a., 1876 

Erie, Starling Med. College, Columbus, O. 1848 

Erie, National Med. Coll., Washington D. C. 1870 

Erie, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1864 

Erie, West. Reserve Med. Coll. Cleveland, J 881 

Erie, Jefferson Medical College, Phila., 1874 

Erie, Homoeopathic Med. Coll., Cleveland. 1878 

Erie, University of Michigan, 1871 

Erie, Western Reserve College, Cleveland. 1870 

Erie, University of City of N. Y, 1860 

Erie, University of Basil, Switzerland. 1857 

Erie, University of Pennsylvania, J 863 

Erie, University of Georgetown, D. C. 1878 

Erie, Practice of Medicine since, 1845 

Erie, Germania Medical College, Germany, 1860 

Erie, Jefferson Medical College, K!07 

Erie, University Victoria Coll. Med. Dep., 1^9 

Erie, Miama Medical Coll., Cincinnati, 1S76 

Erie, University of Mich-, Ann Arbor, 1875 

Erie, Practice of Medicine since, 1844 

Erie, Practice of Medicine since, 1866 

Erie, Practice of Medicine since, 1840 

Erie, University of Buffalo, 1876 

Erie, Cleveland Medical College, 1879 



J. F. Flint, 
JH. C. Nick, 
*C. N. Goucher, 
JWm. Nick, 
Jos. R. Phillips, 
J. J. Seward, 
Wm. C. Tracy, 
H. H. Foringer. 
||A. McPherson, 
J. H. Montgomery. 
J. H. Delaney, 
Susan A. Hills, 
JJohn Doll, 
D.N. Dennis, 
JWm. F. Nick, 
IG. F. E. Umrath. 
L. B. Baker. 
H. E. Flint. ' 

E. P. Abbott, 

J. H. Hauptman. 
W. R. Hunter, 
O. F. Aichner, 
G. S. Dickinson. 
S. L. Ireland, 

B. F. Brubacker, 

F. L. Hall, 

C. C. Taylor, 
tMax Bosch. 
JFred Nick.' 
J. W. Seip,' 
J. J. Finerty, 

fj. Cyrus Thorns. 
*W. O.Gilson. 
fS. H. Warren, 
*Wm. K. Byron, 
R, T. Marks, 
C. B. Chidester, 
tWm. Evans, 
H. C. Galster, 
Milton A. Wilson, 
S. F. Chapin, 
Thos. L. Mills, 

Geo. M. Cole. 
*H. R. Terry, 
T. Hawkins, 
Joseph C. Wilson. 
S. B. Hotchkiss, 
F. G. Greenfield, 
tM. C. Cornell, 

*Chas. N. Moore. 
*Geo. Ellis, 
R. C. Sloan, 

A. H. Courtright. 
J. L. Bennett, 

B. A. Skinner, 
tM. D. Sateriee. 
W. J. Weeks, 

A. P. Temple 
F. A. Beebe, 
Johnson Wright, 



REGISTERED PHYSICIANS 

Erie, University of Ann Arbor, Michigan, 

Erie, Practice of Midicine since 

Erie, Western Reserve Coll., Hudson O. 

Ei'ie, Practice of Medicine since, 

Erie, Cleveland Homoeopathic Med. Coll. 

Erie, Cincinnati Medical College, 

Erie, Harvard Med. Coll. Boston, 

Erie, Western Reserve University, 

Erie, Hahnemann Med. Coll., Chicago, 

Erie, College Phys, and Surg, of New York. 

Erie, Believue Hosp, Med. Coll., New York. 

Erie, Practice Prior to 

Erie, Cnntinuous practice since, 

Erie, Jefferson Med. Coll. Philadelphia, 

Erie, Continuous practice since, 

Erie, Continuous practice since, 

Erie, University of Buffalo, 

Erie, Mich. University Homoeopathic Dept., 

Erie, Jefferson Medical of Philadeuhia, 

Erie, University of Michigan, 

Erie, University of Pennsylvania, 

Erie, Jeft'erson Medical Philadelphia, 

Erie, Jefferson Medical Philadelphia, 

Erie, Hahnemann Medical, Philadelphia, 

Erie, Medico-Chirurgical of Philadelphia, 

Erie, Western Reserve University, 

Erie, Homoeopathic Hospital College, 

Erie, In Practice since, 

Erie, In Practice since, 

Erie, Jefferson Medical, Philadelphia, 

Erie, Niagara University of Buft'alo, 

Erie, Homoeopathic of Cleveland, 

Erie, Western Reserve University, 

Erie, University of Buffalo, 

Erie, Wooster University, 

Erie, Homoeopathic Hospital College, 

Erie> Coll. of Phys. & Surg., Baltimore, 

Erie, Coll, of Phys. & Surg., New York, 

Erie, Cleveland Medical College, 

Erie, Homoeopathic Medical College N. Y. 
S.& S. Home, Yale Medical Coll., 

Erie Co., University of Pennsylvania, 

Edinboro, Eclectic Coll, of Medicine, Cincinnati, 

Edinboro, Jefferson Med. College of Phila., 

Edinboro, Western Reserve University, 

Edinboro Starling Med. Coll,, Columbus, O. 

Edinboro, Believue Hosp. Med. College, 

Edinboro, Miama M d. Coll. Cincinnati, 

Edinboro, Coll. of Phys. and Surg., Baltimore, 

E. Springf'd, Practice of Medicine since, 

E. Springf'd, Medical C jUege, Cleveland, Ohio, 

E. Springf'd, Buffalo Medical College. 

E. S;iringf,d, West^^rn Reserve Medical College, 

East Greene, Practice of Medicine since, 

Elgin, University of Worcester, Cleveland. 

Fairview, University of New York, 

Fairview, Practice of Medicine since, 
and Dr. Hart recent arri/als at Fairview. 
Finleys Lake Wooster University, 

Franklin tp. Homoeopathic Ho~.p. Coll. of Clevo. 



183 

1881 
1867 
1870 
1859 
1883 
1883 
]86(i 
1883 

1884 

1871 
186(5 
1881 
1859 
1872 
1882 
1891 
1877 
1892 
1890 
1893 
1893 
1893 
1893 
1882 
1894 
1871 
1869 
1883 

1888 

1879 
1879 
1880 
1881 
1890 
1892 

1859 
1876 

1881 
18b3 
1850 
1851 
1871 
1882 
1884 

1869 
1860 
1869 
1888 
1860 
1878 
1G79 
1C70 

1877 
1873 



184 



LERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 



M. C. Smith, 
I. N. Tavloi-, 
Hek-n M. Weeks, 
F. M. Temple, 
A. R. Smith, 
J. M. Ely. 
*Adriel G. Elv, 
*T. J. Kellog-g-, 

E. M. Pratt. 
R. H. DulT. 
*Benj. C. Ely^ 
D. Ripley Sr., 
tM. B. Cook. 
Chas. G. Miller, 

D. S. Brown, 
Geo. Wright, 

C. Wheeler, 

tJ. G. LeffingwaU, 

F. W. Dunning, 
J. J. Sharp, 
Wm. P. Biles, 
Geo. W. Wilson, 
Wm. O. Smith, 
W. K. Anderson, 

E. B. Potter, 
J. N. Bowers, 

B. H. Putman, 

D. D. Loop, 

C. C. Hall, 
A. B. Heard, 
*J. K. Griffin, 
A. J. Adams, 
J. C. Douville, 
Nelson Seymour, 
J. O. Jackson, 

J. R. Hewett, 
LaRue D. Rockwell, 
*Jas. F. Read, 
A. C. Sherwood, 
J. C. Agard, 
*C. G. Bollister, 

E. C. Barker, 
Wm. J. Humphrey, 
H. M. Northam, 

J. W.Wright, 
Jos. H. Sliuey, 
*G. Thickstun, 
M. V. B. .Johnson. 
T. W. Bart:)n, 

F. L. Clemea^, 
tJohn W. Brviwn, 
H. L. Stern, 

L. A. Burrows, 
R. M. Powers, 
J. M. Peters. 
Mary Stewart, 
M. M. Henry, 
M. M. Moore, 
C. U Allon, 



Erie, Coll of Pliys. & Surg. Baltimore, 

Edinboro, University of Pennsylvania Phila., 
Fair view. Homoeopathic Med. Coll., Cleve. 
Fairview, University of Pennsylvania. 
Girard, Eclectic Med. Institute, of Cincinnati, 

Girard, Western Reserve University, 

Girard, Geneva Medical College, N. Y. 

Girard, Practice of Medicine since. 

Girard, Western Reserve Med. Coll., 

Girard, Western Reserve University 

Girard, Castleton Medical Institute, Vt. 

Greene tp.. Practice of Medicine since, 
Harborcreek.fUeveland Medical College, 
Harborcreek, Practice of Medicine since, 
Har bore reek. Western Reserve University, 
Lockport, Homoeopathic Hosp. Coll. of Cleve., 
IjeBoeuf, Columbia Medical of New York. 

Miles Grove, Michigan University, Ann Arbor, 
Miles Grove, University of New York, 
Millvillage, University of New York, 

Eclectic Med. Inst., Cincinnati, 

Practice of Medicine since. 

Bellevue Hosp. vied. College, 

University of New York, 



1866 



Millvillage, 
Millvillage, 
Millvillage, 
Millvillage, 
McKean, 
McKean, 
North East, 
North East, 



Western Res. University Cleve. 
University of Buffalo, 
University of Buffala, N. Y., 
North East, Medical University ofMichigan 
North East, Detroit Medical College Michigan, 
North East, University of Buffalo, 
North East, College of Phys & Surg., Ontario 
North East, University of Maryland, Baltimore. 
North East, Practice of Medicine since, 
North East, Homoeopathic Hospital College, 
Springf'd tp., Practice of Medicine since. 



Union, 

Union, 

Union, 

Union, 

Uilion, 

Union, 

Union, 

Union, 

Wattsburg 

Wattsburg 

Wattsburg 

Wattsburg 

Waterford 

Waterford 

Waterford 

Waterfoj-d 

Waterford 

Wellsburg 

Wellsburg 

Wellsburg 

Wellsburg 



1865 
1890 
1872 
1865 
1877 
1892 
184*5 
1882 
1865 
1874 
1K38 
1873 
1857 



University of Pennsylvania, 

Practice of Medicine since. 

University of Pennsylvania, 

Practice of Medicine, since 

Certified Record from Crawford County. 

Eclectic Med. Coll., Cincinnati, 1884 

University of Buffalo, 1890 

HomcBopathic Dept. Univers. of Mich,, 1893 

Jefferson Medical of Philadelphia, 1890 

Western Reserve University, 187fi 

Bellevue Hosp. Medical College N. Y., 1864 



Med. Coll. of Ohio at Cincinnati, 1865 

Buffalo Medical College, N. Y. 1862 

Jefferson Medical College, of Phila.. 1881 

Cleveland Med. Coll. of Cleveland, 1859 

Cleveland Medical College, 1892 

Eclectic Medical Institute, 1887 

Western Reserve of Pittsburg, 1890 

Jeffer.^on Medical Philadelphia, 1889 

Philadelphia University, 1878 

W*^st'jrn Reserve University, 1885 

Wesleyville, Practice of Medicine since, 18i')2 

Wesleyville, Jofferaon Medical of Philadelphia. 1892 



AN EPITONIK OK 

VALUABLE STATISTICS 



AND 



GENERAL INFORMATION. 



INTEODUCTORY. 

With the view ofmakinga valuable epitome 
of ancient history, we incorporate eight paees 
of fine print, a former condensation of the 
author, that required a full month of indus 
trious research for its production. These sta" 
tistics and dates will be found convenient for 
future reference, are given place ahead of the 
State and County matter proper and will add 
to the general value of this history. 

Much pains has been talien with the re- 
search and proofreading, not only on these 
statistical pages; but on the entire work, 

THE WORLD IN A NUT SHELL. 

CHRONOLOGICAL DATES. 

Tlie history ol the world up to the time of the del- 
uge and for many years afterwards is only to be 
found in the brief narrative given in tlie sacred 
writings, although the Chinese claim to have records 
dating back to a period long before "Adam waa 
born." 

THE HEBREWS. 

Deluge B. C. 2350; Abraham called 1921; Joseph 
in Egypt, 1725; Birth of Moses, 1571; Hebrews left 
Egypt, 1491; death of Moses, M51; Deborah Judge of 
Israel, 1885; Gideon slaughtered Midianites lc45; 
Jeptha, Judge, 1288; Eli, Judge, 1256; Sampson, 1237; 
Samuel, 122u; Saul King, 1195; David King, 1155; 
Solomon King, 1115; Temple dedicated 1104; Solo- 
mon died 1075; division of Israel 1058; Elijah and 
Elisba prophets, 888; Jerusalem taken by Jehoash 
826; Hezekiah and Isaiah in Judah 726; Jeremiah 
prophet 641; Jerusalem taken by Nebuchadnezzar, 
606; Jerusalem desixoyed, 588. 

EGYPT. 

Little or nothing is known of the history of Egypt 
prior to the time of Joseph. At that time however, 
it was one of the most powerf:;; nations of the world. 
The dynasty of the Pharohs, B. C, 1300; Pyramids 
built by Cheops, 1082; Shishak ruler, 978, Judea 
conquered and the temple plundered by him 971; 
Egypt devastated by Nebuchadnezzar, 572; end of 
the tirst Egyptian monarchy 525 and for over 200 
years it was iu obscurity, but revived again by the 
Ptolemys about three centuries before Christ. Cleo- 
patra lived B. C. 45 pnd Egypt was again subdued B. 
C.30. 

MACEDON 

was subdued by Darius, B. C. 508; Philip II crowned 



359; Alexander in Macedon 336; invaded Persia 334; 
battle of Arabela331; Alexander died at Babylon of 
strong drink, aged 32, B. C. 324. 

GREECE. 

By valor and refinement, Greece became the next 
nation in importance. Troy was taken B. C. 1184. 
lonians settled in Asia 1043; Homer the poet, wrote 
about 888; first Olymphian period from which the 
Greeks reckon time, 776; Code of Draco 624; Solon, 
Athenian law-giver 594; Socrates 429; war with 
Macedon 338; Republic reestablished 297; Corinth 
taken 146. 

ROME, 

founded by Romulus B. C. 753; Tarqiiin the elder, 616; 
Tarquin the proud, 534; Brutus 510; Cincinnatus dic- 
tator 456; great famine 440; invaded by the Gauls 391; 
first Punic war 265; second Punic war 218; third war 
149; Carthage destroyed 146; Cicero 63; Ctesar in- 
Tades Britian 55; dictator 45; Caesar assassinated 
44; Augustus emperor, 30. Christian Era. — The 
bloody Nero A. D., 54; Jerusalem destroyed by 
Titus 70 rebuilt 137; Persian war 231; persecution of 
Christians 236: Constantine emperor 323; Council at 
Nice, when tne books of the New Testament were 
voted in, 325; Romans driven from Spain 409; with- 
drew from Britian 419; battle of Chalons 451; Odo- 
acer king of Heruli; puts an end to the Roman 
empire. 

MEDES & PERSIANS. 

Darius, king B. C. 521; second Temple dedicated 
515; Darius invades Greece 491; Artaxerxes I 464; 
Esther queen 456; Nehemiah rebuilds Jerusalem 455; 
conquered and claimed bj the Macedons 435, 

EASTERN EMPIRE, ETC. 

A. D. 447, Attilla king of Huns exacts tribute 
from Theodosius II; ravaged by Persians 502; Justi- 
nian code 529; Mohamed preaching 612; Persians take 
Syria 614; the Hegira 622; Saracens besiege Constan- 
tinoiile 673-9; their second siege of Constautii]oi)le 
718; Michael II, 820; John Zimisces 969; Turks take 
Jerusalem 1065; Crusaders take Antioch 1098, and 
Jerusalem 1099, and Acre 1104; Venice in her glory 
1125; Latin emporers 1204; Empire recovered by 
Greeks 1261; Turkish Empire. Ossman I, 1299; Sup- 
pression of Knights Templars 1311; general pes- 
tilence 1348; Empire excepting Constantinople taken 
by the Turks 1391: Union of Denmark, Sweeden and 
Norway 1307; invention of printing 1440; Constanti- 
nople captured by Turks and end of Empire 145:!; 
Ferdinand and Isabella in Spain 1474; Columbus 
discovered America 1492. 



Clovis makes Paris his capital A. D. 507; Clovis II 
king of France 656; Cadwallader last king of Britonj 
C78; Charles Martel duke of France 714; battle ul 



186 



ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 



Tours 732; Danes in England 787; Charlemagne em- 
porer of the west 800; Charles the Bald in France 
840; Eollo the Norman 912; Hugh Capet 987; Henry I 
1031; Philip I lOliU; first crusade 1096; war with Eng- 
land 1098; Louis the Fat 1108; Louis VII 1137; Philip 
II 1180; Louis IX (St. Louis) 1226; Louis X 1814; 
House of Valois 1328; Charles V 1364; Joan of Are 
enters Orleans 1428; France ridden of English 1451; 
French take Milan 1491; Hugenot war 1560; massa- 
cre of St. Bartholomew 1572; House of Bourbon 1589; 
Cardinal Richelieu 1624; invasion of Holland 1672; 
Louis XV 1715; France aids America 1778; revolu- 
tion 1790; republic 1792; Napoleon consul 1799; Em- 
porer 1804; campaign in Russia 1812; fall of Na- 
poleon 1815; conquest of Algiers 1830; Louis Napol- 
eon president, 1848; Napoleon III emperor 18.52; 
French in Mexico 1863; war with Prussia 1870; Re- 
public; 1871 Thiers president, Jules Grevy president 
1879; occupation of Anam and trouble with China 
1883. 

ITALY AND COTEMPORARY. 

Lombards take Italy A. D. 596; defeat Constans II 
662; and conquered by Charlemagne 774; the Cru- 
sades 1090 to 1,300; wars of Charles V in Italy 1527; 
capture of Rome 1527; order of Jesuits founded 
1535; calendar remodeled by pope Gregory XII 1582; 
Peter Great in Russia 1689; Frederick II in Prussia 
1740; French in Spain 1808; Moscow burned 1812; 
Greece independent 1827; siege of Sebastopol 1854; 
Victor Emanuel King of Italy 1861; revolution in 
Spain 1SG8; Russia-Turkish war 1877; Humbert King 
of Italvl879; assassination of Alexander II of Rus- 
sia 1881; Alexander III crowned 1883. 

GERMANY. 

House of France 814; Henry I defeats the danes 
934; war with the Saracens 1073; Frederick I invades 
Italy 1154; destrovs Milan 1162- House of Hapsburg 
1273; rewlt of Swiss and Wm. Tell 1307; House of 
Luxemberg 1349; John Huss burned by Sigismond 
1415; House of Austria 1438; Maximilian I 1493; ref- 
ormation by Luther 1517; Maximaliai. II 1564; bat- 
tle of Prague 1620; Leopold I 1659; House of Lor- 
raine 1745. 

PRUSSIA. 

Takes Hanover 1801; war with France 1813; Ger- 
man Confederation 1815; war with Denmark 1864, 
and Austria 1866, invasion of France 1870, William 
made emperor 1871 and died 1888, succeded by Fred- 
erick, March 13 1888. 

AUSTRIA. 

An empire 1800, war -with France 1813, ■with Hun- 
gary 1848, with France and Italy 1S59, withdrawal 
from the confederation 1870, international exhibi- 
tion at Vienna 1S73, agreement with Germany on 
Eastern question 1880. 

ENGLAND. 

Anglo Saxon Kings 825, Egbert 828, Alfred the 
great 871, ravages of Scotland 933, Danish Kings 
1016, Saxons restored 1041, English language origin- 
ates from the Saxon, Danish, British, Welsh, Nor- 
man, Latin, French and Greek A. D. 1000 to 1500, 
Norman Dynasty 1066, conquest of Ireland 1171, con- 
quest of Wales 1282, battle of Banuockburn 1314, 
House of Lancaster 1399, war with France 1413, 
House of York 1461, House of Tudor 1485, battle of 
Flodden 1533, Ann Boleyn beheaded 1536 and Mary 
of Scotts 1587, House of Stuart 16U3, Oliver Cromwell 
1649, Stuarts restored 1660, great London tire 1666, 
battle of the Boyne 1690 House of Hanover 1714, 
war with Spain 1739, with France 1756, war with 
colonies 1775, Union with Ireland 1801, war with U. 
S. 1812, battle of Waterloo 1815, Victoria crowned 
queen 1837, Crimean war 1854, Atlantic cable laid 
1666, Fenian trouble 1867, Zulu war 1879, famine in 
Ireland 1880, war with Egypt 1882, Gladstone's bill 
"Home Rule" for relief of Ireland, introduced 
in 1X87, and amended from time to time has oc- 
cupied a large attention of Parliament. It 
failed to receive the sanction of tiueen Victor- 
ia, but it is believed that it will yetbecome a 
law. Gladstone permanently resigned in 1894, 



AUEBICA, 075 HOUE. 

Discovered by Norsemen A D 980, Iceland settled 
986, Lief visited Newfoundland and Massachusetts 
1001, discovered by Columbus 1492, Florida entered 
by Ponce de Leon 1512, Balboa discoveres the Pacific 
1513, Cortez in Mexico 1519, Pizarro in Peru 1532, 
DeSoto in Florida and Louisiana 1541, St. Augustine 
founded 1565 Jamestown, Va., 1607, Quebec 1608, 
New York 1614, Plymouth Rock 1620, Sweedes in 
Delaware 1627, Maryland settled 1634. Connecticut 
1635, New Jersey and North Corolina 1664, South 
Carolina 1670, Pennsylvania 1682, Georgia by Ogle- 
thorpe 1733, New Hampshire 1741, Quebec taken 
1759, Canada ceeded to England by the French '61, 
Revolutionary war '75 Declaration of Indepen- 
dence July 4th 1776; surrender of Cornwallis '81, 
treaty of peace '83, constitution adopted '87, Wash- 
ington made president, '89, Louisiana ceeded to U.S. 
1803, war with England 1812, Florida ceeded '20, 
Buenos Ayres independent '16, Mexico '21, Texas 
'36, auuexed '45, war with Mexico '46, civil war '61, 
Maximilian emperor '64, U. S. buys Alaska 't)7, war 
in Cuba '71, Chili-Peru war '81, Mexico building 
railroad '82. 

ADDITION OF STATES. 

Vermont admitted 1791, Kentucky 1792, Tennessee 
1796, Ohio 1802, Louisiana admitted '12, Indiana ad- 
mitted '16, Mississippi '17 Illinois '18, Alabama '19, 
Maine '20, Missouri '21, Arkansas '36, Michigan '37, 
Texas annexed '45, Florida admitted '45, Iowa '46, 
New Mexico and California purchased '48, Wiscon- 
sin admitted '48, California '50, Minnesota '58, Ore- 
gon '59, Kansas '61, West Virginia '6", Nevada '64, 
Nebraska '67, Southern States re-adiuitted '68, Colo- 
rado '76. With the exception of the years 1821 to 
'36 the United States has never before in her history 
of a century been so long without admitting a new 
State. North and South Dakota, Wyoming and 
Washington were admitted in 1889. " Idaho and 
Montana in 1890. 

INTERNAL AND FOREIGN. 

Wayne's victory at Maumee 1794, Jay's treaty '95, 
with France '97, Government removed from Phila- 
delphia to Washington, D. C, '99, trial of Aaron 
BuiT for Conspiracy 1807, Perry's victory Sejjt. 10, 
'13, Washington burned '14, battle of New Orleans 
'15, Missouri compromise '20, Lafayette's visit '24, 
John Adams and Thomas Jeflerson, 2d and third 
presidents died July 4 '26, protective tariff bill 
passed '28, treaty with Turkey '30, Blaokhawk war 
'32, Seminole war '35, financial crisis '37, veto of 
bank bill '41, gold in California '48, Taylor died Jidy 
9th, '50, Kansas trouble '55, treaty with Japan '54, 
Mormon insurrection, Dred-Scot decision '57, John 
Brown's insurrection '59, South Carolina seceded 
Dec. 20 '60, Miss., Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Tex. Va., Ark., 
Tenn. and North Carolina follow and Jefferson Da- 
vis elected president of the Southern Confederacy 
'61, bombardment of Fort Sumter and battle of Bull 
Run '61, Antietum, Ft. Donaldson, Pea Ridge, Shi- 
loh, 2d Bull Run, Corinth, Fredericksburg, '62, 
Emancipation Proclamation Jan. 1, '63, battles of 
Chancellorville, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, '63, Wilder- 
ness, Petersburg and Sherman's March to the Sea, 
'64, battle of Five Forks, surrender of Lee, John.son 
and Kirby Smith and end of war '65, impeachment 
and acquittal of President Johnson '68, Fifteenth 
Amendment 70, great fire in Chicago '71, Modoc war 
'73, Custer massacre and Centennial Exposition '76, 
great railroad riots '77, resumption of specie pay- 
ment '79, treaty with China '81, general strike of 
telegraph operators '83, World's Exposition New 
Orleans '84^5, great flood of the t)hio Feb. '84, 
earthquake at Charleston, '86, great railroad disaster 
at Chatsworth, Illinois, over 100 persons killed '87. 
Ex-Senator Conklin died '88 Johnstown 
flood— 4,00n drowned in one hour— '89. Home- 
stead Strike, July '92. Cleveland re elected'92. 
World's Columbian Exhibition at Chicago '95 
cost 135,000,000. Hawaii Provision Govern- 
ment '93. Free school books in Pa., fall of '93. 



Valuable inform atio^t i87 

CANADA, DUE N02THBEN NEIGHBOR. government more tlian twenty millions of dollars 

The''goyernmeutof Canada is subject to the Brit- to (inell. It is still tributary to .Spain but_ ^'roaus 

tish crown but is semi-independent its history dat- ""^er ttic yoke and longs lor annexation to the U. b., 

Ing back to the sixteenth century. Jao(,ues Cartier; f™™ '^•""h it is separated by less than 100 miles ol 

a French sea captain planted his staiulard on the '*^,^?1'^',. .^ , i. . , ^ .^ » . . 

shores of New Brunswick in 1534 and claimed it '1 he limit of these pages will not permit of giving 

for France. Later he discovered the river St. Law- detailed lacts regarding Central and bouth America; 

rence. General Wolfe's forces captured Quebec in but our roations with the mother country are so 

1759 and the entire country was claimed for the intimate that we shall appropriate some space to her 

British. During the Revolutionary struggle for in- considcratiou next. 

dependence the Canadian settlements remained true GEEAT BEITIAN, OUE MOTHER C0UNTE7. 
to the king and after and during the war many tor- ^^j^^ history of Great Britian iirojierly commences 
les fled Iroin the colonies to Upper Canada, now ^j^h the conquests of Casar B C 55. The Roman 
called Ontario, while the eastern province 18 known rule lasted till 4'.20 A D. The Scots, Hunns, Danes 
as Quet^ec, or Ix)wer Canada. and other tribes ravaged the country and internal 
Canada proper covers 375,000 square miles and has dissensions continued until the establishment of the 
a rwpulation of about 3,750,000 inhabitants while the Norman line A D 1066. The first parliament was con- 
remainder ot the Brittlsh Pos.sessions in North vened in 1265 and thirty years later a session of 
America covers an area ten times as great and has commons was added, these being a concession wrung 
only about one-third as many inhabitants. In 1825 fj-om the Kings by the Barons. King Charles at- 
Ontario had a population of 158,027; '02 952,004 and tempted to dispense with parliament, but was over- 
in 86 about two millions. The Canadian Pacihc thrown by Oliver Cromwell in 1645. The Habeas 
railroad now more than half completed, will open to Corpus Act was passed in 1679 on the return of the 
settlement an immense tract ol country and be the stuarts to ',he throne. The government is a constitu- 
tourth iron highway across the continent. The tional monarchy, the executive power being vested 
Cen tral Pacific completed m 1808 haying made the in the sovereign and the letjislative in parliment. 
farsJ through connection from the Atlantic to the The area of Great Britian including Ireland covers 
Pacific ocean. Canada proper is the most fertile and 121,571 square miles and has about S6,0UO,00O peo- 
salubrious in the British American territory; even pig xhe entire British Possession covers an 
the frigid regions of the Northwest lerntory and area of 7,788,347 square miles and having a popuia- 
Manitoba are gaining in population. Winnepeg the tion of over 300,000,000 of inhabitants, or about one- 
capital city of the latter country is rapidly rising to fourth of humanity. Other European countries de- 
prominence. The summer seasons although short serve a separate mention but we must refer the read- 
are warm and the growth of vegetation marvelous. ^^ to more exhaustive history. 

MEXICO, OUE SOUTHERN BOEDEE. EIGHTEEN DECISIVE BATTLES 
The history of Mexico up to the time of its con- ja the World's History. 
quest by Cortez is almost unknown. When DeCor- , ,., , t, /-. 4nf> Ati • r. 
dova discovered the country in 1517 he found the /'Marathon by Miltaocle8BC490, Athenians-Fer- 
Aztecs Nation in possession of the land. These Bians. , „,. -nnAiA c o * 
people were far in advance of the aboriginals who Syracuse by GlippiisBC 414, Syracusans- Spartans, 
occupied the territory now belonging to the U S. ;^/t)ela by Alexander B C 331, Greeks-Persians. 
They had a monaicbial government, cities and agri- . Metaurus by Nero, B C 207, Romans-Carthagm- 
cultural lands, were versed in astronomy and the ^^V?,'- r ui- v « • • a -rv n /- 
working of meials, pottery, etc., yet had nothing Winfeldlippe by Arminius A D 9, Germans- 
but tradition as to their ancestry or origin. Some Konians. ,,.._, ^ , „ 
writers consider them of the highest type of Indian Chalons by Aetius, 451, Romans, etc-IIunns. 
civilization while others believe them to have de- Tours by Charles Martel, /oi Franks-Saracens. 
scendc'd from a diflerent .source. Their habits and Hastings by William, 1006, N orm a ns- Anglo- 
manners make it reasonable to infer that they were baxons. i,„n tt i t7 i- u 
contemporaries with, and perhaps the same race Orleans by Joan of Are 1429, French- English, 
as the Mouiidbuilders of the Ohio Valley, whose Armada by Elhngham, 1588, English and Dutch- 
tumuli still remain as mouumentsto their skill and bpaniaids. -c- t i, j a i 
devotion. Montezuma was monarch of the Aztecs Blenhein by Marlborough, 1704, English andAust. 
when the country was taken by Fernando Cortez ~F/?°'='^,?°i^,'7^'''^™°^;-no ir ait ^ t> 
1519-21 and thenceforth for nearly 300 years Mexico ^a my by Kellerman, 1792, France- Allied Power, 
was under Spanish rule. The revolution of 1810 by Pultowa by Pet«r Great 1 ,09, Russia-Sweeden. 

the natives was a most bloody scene and resulted ii ' ^,f '^'H''* \^ ^v* u-' ^ i'^' "^"i^T^'r^r^i^VI Ir '• i • i. 

the destruction of thousands of lives. Don Angus- Waterloo by^W ellington and Blucher 1815, English 

tin Iturbide a native Mexican Spaniard ten years ^'l? , f?Jf 'l, l^rencn. 

later led a successful revolt and the Independence of o^S'^'l 'i VL"f^'l"^~^''^°°Y.' t, , -r, ■ 

Mexico was established in 1821. Since then the Sebastopol '54-5, tng, French, Turks-Russia, 

government has had numerous changes but is at Gettysburg by Meade, '63, Union-Confederacy, 

present essentially like the U. S. in form. — *Names of places appear first, prominent gener- 

Mexico covers an area of 741,589 square miles and al next, date, victorious army, defeated forces last, 

has a population of about ten millions of inhabit- Population and Debt of Cities of the United 

ants. Its table lands are salubrious and fertile and States. 

with two through railroad lines from Texas, this „„ , * . „ t, , , „^, ^ , 

easy going republic will doubtless fall into the rapid Name of Place. cens, fl SSfl ISSO n .rton 

march of enterprise and refinement. „ _,. i2\i, « i7«?q § i ok 

..„' ,„-,„,.,„.,„,„„„,„ Akron Ohio 16,511 I 17,619 $106 

CUBA, OUE ISLAND NEIGHBOE, Albany New York 90,003 3,138,500 34 52 

The greatest of Spain's colonial possesions was Alleghany Pennsyl'na 78,681 1,596,429 20 29 

discovered by Columbus in 1492, and in 1511 Velas- Allentown do 18,063 430,443 23 83 

quez conquered the natives. Havana was founded Alexandria Virginia... 13,658 1,037,088 75 92 

1519. Cuba has been more prosperous since the ad- AltoonaPennnsylvana 19,716 368,830 18 70 

vent of Las Cassas as governor-general in 1790 but Atchison Kansas „ 15,106 449, 6i7 29 76 

has had numerous bickerings and revolts. A seri- Atlanta Georgia 34,398 2,180,000 63 38 

ous revolt occurred in 1868, which caused the sacri- Auburn New York 22,924 530,000 12 32 

fice ol 56,000 Cuban soldiers and cost the Spanish Augusta Georgia 23,023 1,961,319 18 SS 



188 



ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 



Austin, Texas 

Baltimore, Maryland.. 

Bangor, Maine 

Bay City, Michigan... 
Binghamton, N. Y.... 

Bloomington, III 

Boston, Massachusetts, 

Bridgeport, Conn 

Brooklyn, N. Y 

Buffalo, N.Y 

BurUngton, Iowa 

Cambridge, Mass 

Camden, N.J 

Charleston, S. C 



Chattanooga, Tenn.... 

Davenport, Iowa 

Evansville, Ind 

Erie, Pa 

Elmira, N.Y 

East Saginaw, Mich. . . 

Fall River, Mass 

Grand Rapids, iMich.. 

Galveston, Texas 

Hoboken, N.J 

Houston, Texas 

Indianapolis, Ind 

Kansas City, Mo 

Louisville, Ky 

Lewiston, Maine 

Milwaukee, Wis 

Minneapolis, Minn.... 

Memphis,Tenn 

Manchester, N. H 

Mobile. Alabama 

New York, N.Y i 

Sew Orleans, La 

Norfolk, Virginia .... 

Newport, Ky 

Nashville, Tenn 

Oakland, Cal 

Omaha, Nebraska 

Oswego, N. Y 

Oshkosh, Wis 

Pittsburg, Pa 

Providence, R. I 

Patterson, N. J 

Portland, Maine 

Peoria, 111 

Petersburg, Va 

Poughkeepsie, N.Y.. . 
Presidents, Vice-Pre' 



10,960 


106,744 


9 74 


332,190 


27,092,690 


81 5S 


16,827 


2,66i,coo 


158 13 


20,693 


433.100 


20 93 


17.315 


299,500 


17 29 


17,184 


221,463 


12 88 


362,535 


28,244,017 


77 90 


29.145 


831,000 


28 51 


566,689 


38,040,000 


67 13 


155.137 


8,211,934 


52 93 


19,450 


128,063 


6 58 


52.740 


3.403,723 


64 53 


41.658 


1,164,900 


V 9^ 


49.999 


4,129,102 


82 58 


12,892 


71,566 


5 55 


21.834 


290,67s 


13 31 


29,280 


none 




27.730 


1,201,229 


43 31 


20,541 


270,400 


13 17 


19,016 


61:, 055 


32 13 


49,006 


3,169,765 


64 68 


32.015 


471,000 


14 71 


22,253 


1,023,249 


45 97 


3°.999 


1,099,250 


35 46 


18,646 


1.501.591 


80 53 


75.074 


1,914,500 


25 50 


55,813 


1,339,224 


23 99 


123,645 


4,842,935 


39 16 


19,083 


1,038,102 


54 39 


"5,578 


2,160,289 


18 69 


46,887 


»,i37,467 


24 2S 


33.593 


none 




32,630 


929,000 


28 19 


31.205 


2,671,100 


85 91 


,206,590 


109,425,414 


go 69 


216,140 






21,966 


2,i87,-57i 


99 57 


20,433 


966,618 


42 41 


43.461 


1,606,200 


36 95 


34.556 


669,126 


19 35 


30,518 


227,578 


7 ^1 


21,177 


1,264,224 


59 86 


15,749 


130,500 


8 28 


156,381 


14.134.296 


90 37 


104,850 






50,887 


1,350,500 


26 71 


33-810 


4.332,154 


128 13 


29,315 


716,500 


24 44 


21,656 


1,136,100 


52 46 


20,207 


1,939,198 


95 96 



:ldent£ and Pnblic Tebts. 



Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and a statement of the 
Public Debt, including accrued interest thereon, 
less cash in the Treasury, on the 1st day of July 
of each year, compiled from the pubHshed Report 
of the Seceetary of the Treasury. 
Year. President. Viee-President. Debt. 

1789 — Washington... .Adams $ 

1793 — Washington Acams 80,352,634 04 

1797 — Adams Jefferson 82,064,47933 

i8oi — Jefferson Burr.... 83,038,050 80 

1805 — Jefferson Clinton 82,312,130 50 

1809 — Madison Clinton 57,023, 192 00 

1813 — Madison Gerry 55,962,827 57 

1817 — Monroe Tompkins 123,491,965 16 

1821 — Monroe Tompkins 89,987,427 66 

1825 — J. Q. Adams... Calhoun ,. 83,788,43271 

1829 — Jackson Calhoun 58,421,413 67 

1833 — Jackson Van Buren 7,001,698 83 

1837 — Van Buren Johnson 336,957 83 

1841— Harrison Tyler 5,250,875 54 

1842 — Tyler..... Wm.P.Mangum 13,594,480 73 

1845 — Polk Dallas 15,925,30301 

1849 — Taylor Filmore 63.061,858 69 

1850— Filmore King 63,452,77355 

i?53 — Pierce King 59,803,117 70 

1857 — Buchanan Breckenridge.. 28,699,831 85 

1861 — Lincoln Hamlin 90,580,873 7a 

1865 — Lincoln Johnson 2,680,647,809 74 



1866 — Johnson Foster 9,773,236,173 69 

1869— Grant Colfax 2,489,002,480 58 

1S73— Grant Wilson 2, 147,818, 71357 

1877— Hayes Wheeler .2,060,158,223 26 

1881— Garfield Arthur 1,840,598,811 ga 

1882 — Arthur Davis 1,688,914,460 90 

1886 — Cleveland Hendricks... .1,417,156,86270 

Brief Biograpbj of Presidents. 

Georgo JVas/iing^ion, bom Va., 1732; died '99, Aid- 
de-camp to Braddock, Indian campaign '55, chosen 
to Colonial Congress '74, Commander-in-chief '75 
President '89-97. 

yo/tn Adams, bom Mass. 1735, died 1826, 1st vice- 
president and 2d president U.S., defeated by Jeffer- 
son in 1800, one of the founders ol the Republic. 

Thofuas Jefferson, of Va., 1743, died 1826, in Col- 
onial Congress 1775, drafted Declaration Indepen- 
dence '76, governor of Va. 79, minister at Paris '85, 
Sec. of State '89, vice-president '96, president 1801-9. 

James Madison ol Va., bom 1751, died i836,one of 
the founders of the Federal party, elected Congress 
'89, Sec. of State 1870, president 1809-17. 

ya;«?j yi/c«ro/r, of Va., 1758, 1831, elected to Con- 
gress 1 783, governor of Va. 1799, Envoy to France 
1802, Sec. of State '11, president 'i7-'25. 

John Quincy Adams, of Mass., 1767, 1848, presi- 
dent '25- 29, defeated by Jackson '28, elected to con- 
gress '30. His oratory gained for him the title of 
"Old Man Eloquent.'' 

Andrew Jackson, oi^.C 1767, 1845, was rather 
illiterate, in congress 1796, U. S. senate 1797, dis- 
tinguished at the battle of New Orleans,'5i president 
'29-37- 

Martin Van Buren, of N. Y., 1782, 1862, elected 
state senator N. Y. 1803, state attorney-general '15, 
TJ. S. senator '21, governor '28, secretary of state '19- 
'29, vice-president '33, president '37-'4i. 

William H, Harrison, of Va., 1773, 1841, aid-de 
camp to Gen. Wayne in Indian war, territorial gov- 
ernor of Indiana i8oi-'i3, defeated Indians at Tip- 
pecanoe '11, elected to congress '16, senator '24, elec- 
ted president '40, and died one month after his in- 
auguration. 

John Tyler, of Va., 1790, 1862, elected to congress 
i8i6j governor of Va. '25, U. S. Senator '27, vice- 
president under Harrison and succeeded him April 
4th '41, 

James K. Polk, of N. C. 1795, 1849, congressman 
from Tenn. '25, governor '39, president '45 to '49. 
DurinR his term Texas was annexed and the war 
with Mexico prosecuted. 

Zachary Taylor, of Va. 1784, 1850, served in Sem- 
inole and Blaclihawk war, major-general in Mexican 
war and won the battles of Reseca and Buena Vista, 
inaugurated president '49 and died July 9th, 1850. 

Millard Fillmore, ol N. Y. 1800, 1874, congress 
'32, elected vice-president '48, and succeeded to the 
presidency on the death of Taylor. 

Franklin Pierce, of N. H. 1804, i86g, congress '32, 
senator '37, brigadier-general in Mexican war, elect- 
ed president '52, opposed coercion of the south '63. 

J ames Buchanan, of Pa. 1791, 1868, congress '21, 
minister to Russia '32, U. S. senator '34, secretary of 
state '45, minister to England '53, president '57. 

Abraham Lincoln, of Ky. 1809, elected to IlL 
legislature '3-1, congress '46, defeated by Douglas for 
U.S. senator 54, elected president '6o,re-elected '64 
and assassinated April 14, '65 by John Wilkes Booth. 

Andrew Johnson, N. C. 1808, 1875, congress from 
Tenn. '43, governor '53, U. S. senator '57, military 
governor '62, elected vice-president '64, and suc- 
ceeded to the presidency on the assassination of Lin- 
coln. He was subsequently elected U. S. senator. 

Ulyss*s S. Grant, of Ohio, 1833, 1885, served io 



VALUABLE INFORMATION 



189 



Meiloo, colonel of 21st ni. yoIs. and brigadier-Ken- 
eral 62, commander-in-chief '64, president '69-77. 

Rutherford B. Hayea, of Conn. 1822, brieadier- 
eeneral from Ohio, congress '65, question aa to valid- 
ity ot electonal votes decided by special commis- 
sion 8 to 7 and Hayes inaugurated '77. 

James A.Garfield, of Ohio, 1831, proffessor of 
Latin and Greek at Hiram college and choosen 
president of that institution '58, state senate '59, 
£01. 61, brigadier '62, congress '62, U. S. senator '80 
president '81, shot by Giteau July 2, '81, died Sept. 

Chester A. Arthur, of Vt. 1831, 1886, N. Y. lawyer 
collector of port of N. Y., '71, elected vice-president 
80 and succeeded to the presidency on the death of 
Garneld. 

Graver Cleveland, of N. J., 1887, teacher in N. Y. 
Blind Asylum, lawyer in Buffalo, sheritf '80, inavor 
81, elected governor of N. Y. by 192,000 majority 
'81, president '84. re-iioniinated 'SS and defeated. 
Prominent Fersinagss. 
Joseph Addison, 1672, 1719, English poet and mor- 
alist^, author of "The Campaign," under secretary 
of state 1705. ' 

Thximas B. Aldrich, 1836, Am. poet and novelist. 
Prudence Palfry, etc. 

Ethan Allen, 1742, '89, commander in Revolution- 
ary war, hero of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. 

Benedict Arnold, 1740, 1801, American general and 
traitor, later colonel in British army. 

John Jacob ^*/or, of Heidelberg, Germany, 1763, 
1848, rose rapidly to wealth in N. Y. merchandise 
Founded the Astor Library. 

Francis Bacon, 1561, 1626, English statesman, jur- 
ist and philosopher. Queen's counsel at age of 28 
solicitor-general 1607. s ". 

-Sir Samuel Baker, 1821, English African explorer, 
author geographical and literary works. 

Nathaniel P. Banks, 1816, American general and 
politician, congress '52, governor of Mass. 3 terms. 

Benj. D. Beaconsfield, 1804, 1880, English states- 
man and novelist, chancellor of exchequer, prime 

r/'i^' ?■ ^^yegard, 1816, confederate general at 
Ft. Sumter, Bull Kun and Shiloh. 

Thos.H. Benton, 1782 1858, of Hillsboro, N. C. 
Elected to U. S. senate from Mo. 1820, and congress 

fames O, Blaine ot Pa. 1830, congress from Maine 
62, U. S. senator '77, secretary under Garfield, can- 
didate for presidency '84. ' 

Daniel Boone, of Pa. 1735, 1820, pioneer Ky., Ind 
111. and Missouri. Prominent Indian fighter. 

John C. Breckenridge, of Ky. 1821, 1875, vice pres- 
ident under Buchanan, candidate for president '60 
U. ij benator bl resigned and entered confederate 
confe'derLT °'^''''' secretary of war'Se 

hini^ f '"''"'"' "^ ^°.°°- 1800. zealous abolitionist, 
headed negro insureetion at Harper's Ferry '59 and 
was hanged by Gov. Wise, of Va!^the«ame year 

ifo6<£«m<'.f, 1759, 1706, Scotchman p-d author of 
many prominent poemi. <^ ' n aumor oi 

Aaron Burr, 1756, 1806, lawyer and statesman 
vice-president under Jetterson, killed Hamilton Tn 
duel, was tried lor treason but acquitted. 

Benj. F. Butler, of N. H., 1818, lawyer, politician 
and general, military governor of New Orleans '6 " 
congress Irom Mass. '66, governor '82. ' 

JZi^F'^^' VK ^' 1824, English poet, espoused the 
cause of Grek liberty and died in Greece. 



Thos Carlyle, 1795, 1881, Scotch essayist, biograph- 
er, historian and mathematician. 

Marcus T. Cicero, B. C. ICe. '43, Eoraan author, 
etatesman orator, exiled B.C. 58, but recalled. Kill- 
ed by Antony's soldiers. 

Senry Clay, of Va. 1777, 1852, statesman and ora- 
tor, U b. senate 1806, signed treaty of Ghent '15, 
candidate for president '32 and '44, prominently 
connected with the compromise of 1850. 

Saml. T. Coleridge, 1772, 1834, English poet and 
cntic, German linguist and wroto Lyrical Ballads. 

Christopher Columbus, of Genoa, Italy, 1436 1506 
sriiled from Palos Aug. 3, 1492, reached San Salvador 
Oct. 12 ot that year and gave the natives the name 
ot Indians, discovered Jamaica and Porto Rica 1493 
and bouth America 1498. 

Confucius, B. C.551, 478, Chinese philospher, com- 
menced preaching at 22, originated the "Golden 
Rule and taught that to be polite and do good to 
humanity should be the chief end of man Two- 
thirds of the human race for 2,300 years have given 
great credence lo ihe precepts which he enunciated. 

Copernicus, 1473, 1543, Geruian astronomer, dis- 
proved the Ptolemaic theory and demonstrated that 
the sun is the center of the universe. 

Wm. Cowper liu, 1800, English poet, translated 
Homer 1784. His letters and poetry are highly eulo- 

Charles R. Darwin, 1809, '82, English naturalist 
and originated the theory ol "evolution," that all 
forms ot animal or vegetable life progress in the 
sea epf natural descent by the "survival of the fit- 

J'fferson Davis, of Ky., 1808, U. S. senator from 
JMkss., 47, inaiiguratedpresidentof the Confederacy 
0., imprisoned in Fortress Monroe for 2 years after 
tiie lall ot Richmond, released on bail with Horace 
Urceley and other northern men as sureties and later 
tJie indictment quashed. 

Daniel Defoe, 1661, 1731, English novelist, in insur- 
rection against James II. Author of over 200 works. 

John R.DeKalb, 1732, 1780, German general, ac- 
companied Lafayette to Am. 1777 and killed at bat- 
tle of Camden S. C. '80. 

/;pmw< W, B C. 385, 322, Athenian orator, op- 
po>cd Fhilip of Macedon against whom he delivered 
iiis • Rhilippies." Oration on the crown hisgreatest 
achievement. Suicided by poison. 

Charles Dickens, m2,'1Q, English novelist, for a 
time reporter for the press, author of Nicholas Nieh- 
oltiy, David Copperlield, Oliver Twist and other 
prominent productions. 

Stephen A. Douglas, of Vt, 1817, '61, statesman, 
coiigressfrom Illinois, '43, senator '47, candidate for 
presidency '56, '60. Supported Federal war, '61. 

Frederick Douglas, of Md., 1817, greatest colored 
American orator. Sold to a shipbuilder '32, escaped 
to Mass. and assumed the name of Douglas. Em- 
ployed as orator for the American Anti-slavery So- 
ciety '41, ' 

Dryden, 1631, 1700, English poet, critic and dra- 
matist, wrote "Ode on Alexander's Feast." 

Mme. Dudevant, 1804, '76, French novelist mar- 
ried at 18, 10 years later separated, changed from 
zealous catholic to liberalist, adopting man's attire 
and denouncing the marriage system. 

Thumaj A. Edison, 1847, Am. electrician and in- 
ventor of improved telegraphy, telephone, electric 
ught, phonograph, etc. 

Geo. F. Edmunds, of Vt. 1828, U. S. senator '66 
re-<lect«d three terms, and president of the senate 
under Arthur and after the death of Hendricks. 

Ralph W. Emerson, of Mass. 1803, '82, essayist, 



100 



ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 



pbilosopher and poet, ■Unitarian minister '29, auth- 
or of "Kepresentative Men." 

Edward Everett, 1794, 1865, orator and statesmnn, 
Prof, of Greek at Harvard '55; congress '24, governor 
of Mass. '35, minister to England '41, secretary of 
state '52, senate '53,, 

Henry Fielding, 1707, 1754, Englisli novelist and 
dramatist, lieutenant-general. "Tom Jones" his 
greatest novel. 

Benj. Franklin, oi Mass. 1706, 1790, statesman and 
philosopher, youngest of 17 children, printer, estab- 
lished Penna. Gazette, published "Poor Richard's 
Almanac" 1735, drew electricity from the clouds by 
■ kite '52, minister to France '76, governor of Penn. 
'85, member of constitutional convention '87. 

Robert Fulton, of Penn'a, 1765, 1815, engineer and 
inventor of steam boat, invented sub-marine torpe- 
do in Paris, discovered steam navigation ISUl, assist- 
ed by Robert Livingston, built steamer Clermont 
1806, which ran regularly between New York and 
Albany. 

Galileo, 1564, 1642, Italian astronomer, adopted 
copernicum theory and constructed telescope 1609, 
discovered Jupiter's luoons and ascertained that the 
"Milky Way" was composed ol myriads of stars. 

Edward Gibbon, 1737, 1794, English historian, 
author of the "Decline and Fall of the P.oman Em- 
pire," He was liberal in his religious belief. 

Oliver Goldsmith, 1728, '74, Irish poet and author 
of several prominent novels. 

Jay Gould, of Sandusky, Ohio, 1836, has become 
prominent as a railway and telegraph owner and 
manager. 

Horace Greeley, oi N. H., 1811, 1872, journalist, 
founded N. Y. 'Tribune '41, was democratic candi- 
date lor president '72, defeated by Grant and died 
shortly afterwards. 

Gutenberg, 1401 , 1468, German inventor of print- 
ing and first publisher of the bible. 

Alex. Hamilton, born in West Indies 1757; killed 
in duel by Aaron Burr, 1804, orator, statesman and 
general in revolutionary war. 

Wade Hampton, of S. C. 1818, Confederate general, 
governor of S. C. 1876, U. S. senator '78. 

Winfield S. Hancock, 1824, 1886, major-general in 
late war, prominent in Gettysburg fight, democratic 
candidate for presidency 18S0. 

Hannibal, B. C. 247, 183, Carthaginian general 
subdued the Spaniards, captured Saguntum 219, 
routed Roman army 216, defeated by Scipio Afri- 
canus, 202, suicided by poison to escape being pris- 
oner of the Romans. 

Francis Bret Harte, of N. Y. 1839, humoristic 
writer; consul to a German port, '78, author of 
"Heathen Chinee," etc. 

Warren Hastings, 1732, 1818, British general and 
statesman, governor-general of India, defeated Hy- 
der All, king of Mysore, 

Jfathaniel Hawthorne, 1804, 1864, Am. author. Twice 
told tales. Scarlet Letter, Blithedale Romances, etc 

Robert Y. Hayne, 1791, 1840, Am. orator and states- 
man, opponent of Webster in discussion of constitu- 
tion, governor of S. C. 1832. 

Patrick Henry, 1736, 1799, Am. patriot and orator, 
in continental congress, governor of Virginia. 

Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1809, Am. physician, auth- 
or and poet. The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, 
Elsie Venner, etc 

Homer, B. C. 1000, Greek poet, regarded as one of 
the greatest. Supposed to have been blind and 
poor. The Iliad and Odyssey are prominent text 
books. 



Horace, B. C. '65, Latin poet, Odes, Epist'es and 

Satires. 

- Sainuel Houston, 1793, 1863, Am. general and states- 
man, governor of Tennessee '27, commauderof Texas 
forces in revolt against Mexico, captured Santa An- 
na '36, and elected president of Texas. U. S. sena- 
tor and governor of Texas. 

Washington Irving, of New York, 1783, 1859, auth- 
or Knickerbocker's History of N. Y. secretary of 
legation at London '29, minister to Spaiu '42, 
'Bracebridge Hall,' 'Conquest of Grenada,' etc. are 
among his works. 

Stonewall Jackson, of Va. 1824, Confederate gener- 
al, defeated Banks at Cedar Mountain and captured 
10,0(10 prisoners at Harper's Ferry '02, having recon- 
noitered witli aids beyond his lines near Chancellor- 
ville he was taken for the approaching enemy and 
killed by his own troops. 

Ben Johnson, 1574, 1637, English poet and dramat- 
ist, served as a mason, soldier, actor, author of 'Every 
Man in his humor,' 'Alchemist,' etc. Poet Laureate 
by .Jaiues I. 

Elisha Kent Kane, 1820, '57, Am. Artie explorer. 

LaFayette, 1757, 1834, French general and patriot, 
aided America 1777, wounded at Brandywiiie, com- 
mander of 1-ieuch Nat. Guard, 1789, revisited Am. 
1824 and prominent in French Revolution '30. 

James Laurence, 1781, 1813, Am. naval hero, cora- 
maiuled the Chesapeake, and killed by British frig- 
ate .Shannon oil Boston, exclaiming while dying 
"Uoii't give up the shif>." 

Robert E. Lee, of Va., 1800, '70, chief ei.gineer of 
Scott's army in Mexico, commander in chief of the 
Confederate forces. Surrendered at Appomattox 
April 9, '65. 

Henry W. Longfellow, of Maine, 1807, '82 poet, 
prof, of modern languages at Bowdoin '29, at Har- 
vard '36, Hyperion, Hiawatha, Miles Standish, etc., 
among his works. 

Ignatus de Loyola, 1491, 1566, Spanish founder of 
the Jesuits. 

Murlin Luther, of Eisleben, Germany, 1483, 1546, 
protestaiit reformer, priest ir)()7, jiruf. of philcisuphy 
at Wittenberg 'OS, denounced sale of induigriices '17, 
translated new testament '22 and old test;nueiit '34. 

Thos. B. McCauley, 1800; '59, English historian; 
critic, and essayist. 

Gen. B. McClellan, of Pa., 1826, '85, served in 
Mexican war, engineer 111. Cen. R. R. '57, coiunumd- 
ed Federal torces '01, democratic candidate for presi- 
dency '64, afterwards governor of N. .1. 

Michael Angelo, 1474, 1503, greatest Italian painter, 
poet, sculptor, architect of St. Peters church at 
Rome. 

John Milton, 1608, '74, greatest English poet, blind 
'34, completed 'Paradise Lost' '55. 

Mahomet, A U. 569, founder of the Moslem relig- 
ion and author of the Koran. 

Sir Thomas Monre, 1480, 1535, English statesman, 
philosopher, pai liament 1504, author of Utopia '16. 

Samuel F. B. Morse, 1791, 1872, Am. inventor of 
telegraph, constructed first line '44, Washington to 
Baltimore. 

Horatio V. Nelson, 1758, 1805, greatest English na- 
val commander, killed at Trafalgar where his fleet 
defeated French and Spanish. 

Sir Isaac Newton, 1642, 1727, English philosopher 
and mathematician, discovered gravitation '07, auth- 
or of 'Principia.' 

Michael Ney, 1750, 1815, French marshal, was call- 
ed 'bravest of the brave,' had five hurses kilied un- 
der him at battle of Waterloo, was captured after- 
wards and executed for treason. 



VALUABLE INFORMATION 



191 



]VilUam Pitt, 1739, 1806, English statesman and 
orator, parliament 1780, prime minister 1783. i 

Thomas Paine, 1737, 1809, patriotical writer and 
free-thinker, author of "The Crisis," "Age of Rea- 
son" and other works. 

Pocahontas, 1595, i6'7» daughter of Cliief Pow- 
hatan ini saved life of Captain John Smith, mar- 
ried English gentleman Rolfe. 

Israel Putnam, 1718, 1790, Ara. revolutionary 
general, prominent at Bunker Hill. 

Pythagorus, B. C. 600, 510, Greek philosopher, 
taught the doctrine of transmigration of souls. 

John Randolph, of Va. 1773, 1833, politician and 
orator, congress 1799, senate 1824, minister to Russia 
1830. 

Peyton Randolph, <ilVa..,lTi■X|,^■]^^, president of 
the first American congress. 

Jean Jagues Rousseau, 1712, 1778, French philoso- 
pher and writer. 

Johanne Schiller, 1759, 1805, most popular of 
German poets. 

Sir Walter Scott, 1771, 1832, prominent Scottish 
novelist and poet. 

IVnt. H. Seward, 1801, 1872, secretary of State 
1861-9, nearly assassinated the same night that Lin- 
coln was shot, (April 14, 1865). 

Horatio Seymour, 1811, 1886, governor ofN.Y. 1852, 
re-elected 1862, democratic presidential candidate '68. 

William Shakespeare, 1564, 1616, greatest Eng- 
lish dramatist and famous author. 

Philip H. Sheridan, 1831, 1888, general in Fed- 
eral army and commander-in-chief 1883 till his death. 

Henry W. Shaw, (Josh Billings) 1818, 1885, Amer- 
ican humoristic writer and lecturer. 

John Sherman, 1823, secretary of treasury 1877-81, 
resumed specie payment, prominent senator. 

Win. T, Sherman, 1S20, Am . general, made the 
celebrated 'March to the Sea'; general of army '69. 

Capt. John Smith, 1579, 1631, English explorer, 
founder of Va., first circumnavigator of the globe. 

Charles H. Spurgeon, 1834, English pulpit orator 
and evangelist. 

Alex. H. Stevens, of Ga., 1812, '83. statesman, 
congress 1843, vice-president of the confederacy, au- 
thor of history U. S. and war between the states. 

Thomas Dewit Tahnage, 1832, noted preacher in 
New York city. 

Samuel J Tilden, 1814, 1886, governor of N. Y., 
democratic candidate for president 1876, had popu- 
lar majority of a quarter million, and was given by 
the 'electoral commission' 184 of the 369 electoral 
votes. 

'Boss' Trveed, 1823, 1878, politician, mayor of New 
York, and embezzler. 

Matthew Vassar, 1792, 1868; founder of Vassar 
college. 

Voltaire, 1694, 1778, French author, poet, dramat- 
ist, historian, philosopher and skeptic. 

James Watt, 1736, 1819, Scottish engineer and in- 
ventor, improved and completed steam engine. 

Noah Webster, 1758, 1843, spent most of his life 
as a lexicographer. 

Daniel Webster, of N. H., 1782, 1852, lawyer, or- 
ator, statesman, congress 1812, senate 1828, secretary 
of state, candidate for president 1834. 

Arthur W, Wellington, 1769, 1852, British gen- 
eral and statesman, parliament 1805, secretary o' 
Ireland 1807, defeated Napoleon at Waterloo 18:5. 

John G. Whittier, of Mass., 1807, poet and author 
of famous ballad*. 



Wm. Wadsworth. 1770, 1850, English poet. 
) Ulrich Zwittgle, 1484, 1531, Swiss reformer, killed 
in battle. 

STANDING ARMIES. 

Italy has an army of 214,000 and 2,475,000 trained 
men available. France keeps under arms 500,000 
men, one-fourth cavalry, has 1,850 field guns and 100 
fortress batteries. Germany's land forces are 468,- 
000 and she can mustei about four times that num- 
ber. — Austria's standing army numbers 280,000. — 
The English army 131,000, and in British Inciia i8p,- 
000. Its navy is 700 ships. — The Russian Empire 
keeps standing 974,000 and can muster in war time 
over 2,000,000. — The Turkish standing army has 
350,000 men. — China has 300,000 soldiers. Our form 
of government makes it practicable to maintain 
peace with a very small force, and we find the U. S. 
with only about 25,000 regular soldiers. 

THE CIVIL WAR. 

During the civil war from first to last a,6oo,ooo 
men were mustered in by the U. S. There were on 
duty Jan. ist, '61, 14,663 Union soldiers, July, '61, 
183,588, Jan. '62, 527,204, Jan. '63, 698,802, Jan. '64, 
611,250, Jan. '65, 620,924, May '65, 797,807, and 
about one million on the muster roll at the close of 
the war. Many of the Union soldiers were mustered 
in for short periods, and none for longer than three 
ytars without re-enlistment. 

The Confederate troops were mostly engaged dur- 
ing the war, and at the close their army numbered 
but little over 150,000, although 600,000 had been on 
the muster rolls. The loss from battle on both sides 
was about 200,000, and from wounds, disease and 
subsequent deaths, together with those totally dis- 
abled, foots up nearly four times as many, thus 
making a sacrifice of nearly a million of men and over 
eight billions of property, in one of the most remark- 
able civil wars the world has ever known. 

MASON AND DIXOn's LINE. 

A name given to the southern boundary line of 
the Free State of Pennsylvania which formerly sep- 
arated it from the Slave States of Maryland and 
Virginia. It was run— with the exception of about 
twenty-two miles- -by Charles Mason and Jeremiah 
Dixon, two English mathematicians and surveyors, 
between Nov. 15, 1763, and Dec. 26, 1767. . During 
the excited debate in Congress in 1820, on the ques- 
tion of excluding slavery from Missouri, the eccentric 
John Randolph of Roanoke made great use of this 
phiase, which was caught up and re-echoed by every 
newspaper in the land, and thus gained a celebrity 
which it still retains. 

NEW YORK AND BROOLVN BRIDGE. 

First talked of by Colonel Julius W. Adams about 
1865; act of incorporation passed April, 1866; survey 
begun by John A. Roebling, 1869; construction be- 
gun January 2, 1870; first rope thrown across the 
river August 14, 1876; Master Mechanic Farrington 
crossed in a boatswain's chair August 25, 1876; depth 
of the New York foundation below high water mark, 
78 feet 6 inches; depth of the Brooklyn foundation 
below high water mark, 45 feet. The New York 
tower contains 46,945 cubic yards of masonry; the 
Brooklyn tower 38,214; weight of the Brooklyn 
tower, 93,079 tons; weight of the New York tower, 
about a third more; size of the towers at high water 
line, 140x59 feet; at roof course, 136x53 feet; height 
of tower above high water mark, 276 feet 6 inches; 
height of roadway in the clear in the middle of the 
East River, 135 feet; grade of the roadway, 3 
feet 3 inches to loo feet; width of the prom- 
enade in the center of bridge, 16 feet 7 inches; 
width for railway on one side of the promenade, 
12 feet 10 inches; width of carriageway on the 
other side of the promenade, 18 feet g inches; 
width of bridge, 85 feet; length jf main span, 1,59s 
feet 6 inches; length of each land span, 930 feet; 



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192 



ERIE COUNTY HISTORY. 



V 



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Length of the Brooklyn approach 971 feet. Length 
of the New York approach 1,560 feet. Length of 
each of the four great cables 3,578 feet 6 inches ; di- 
ameter 15% inches; number of steel galvanized 
wires in each cable 5,434 ; weight of each cable about 
SUO tons. Ultimate strength of each cable 15,000 
tons. Weight of steel in the suspended superstruc- 
ture 10,000 tons. Total cost 15,000,000 dollars. Op- 
ened for tratHc in 1883. 

RAILWAY SUSPENSION BRIDGE, NIAGARA FALLS. 

Engineer, John A. Koebling. Height of towers on 
American side »8 feet. Height of towers on Canada 
side 7» leet. Length of bridge 800 ieet. Width of 
bridge 24 leet. Height above the river '.ioO feet. 
Muinbero: cables 4. Diameter of cables 10 inches, 
containing abouH, 000 miles ot wire. Ultimate ca- 
pacuy of the 4 cables l/,400 tons. Total weight of 
bridge 800 tons. Distance betwewu railway track 
and carriage road below 28 feet. Cost of construc- 
tion 500,000 dollars. Bridge first opened for railway 
tratJio March 8, 1855. Lsiimated Uepth of water in 
the channel beneath the bridge 250 ieet. Velocity 
of current 20 miles per hour. Velocity of Whirlpool 
Kapids2/ miles per nour. Quantity ol water pas- 
sing through the gore per minute 1,600,000,000 cubic 
feet. 

HEW CAPITOL BUILDING AT ALBANY, N. Y. 

It was decided to erect the Mew Capitol on the 
first day ol May, 1805. On the ninth day of Decem- 
ber, l6o7, the work of excavation commenced and 
proceeded to a depth of sixteen feet below the sur- 
face. On the seventh day of July, 1869, the first 
stone in the loundaiion was laid. The corner stone 
was laid on the twenty-third day of June, 1871. 
The size is 300 leet north and south by 400 leet east 
and west, and with the porticoes will cover three 
acres and seven square feet. The walls are 108 leet 
high from the water table. Total cost of the build- 
ing up to February ::oth, 1884 was $15,270,000. It is 
estimated that it will cost at least 86,000,000 mor» to 
complete it. 

U. S. WEATHER SIGNAI.8. 

White flag indicates clear or fair weather. Blue 
flag indicates rain or snow. Black, triangular fiag 
always refers to temperature; when placed above 
white or blue it indicates warmer weather ; when 
placed below white or blue it indicates cooler weath- 
er; when not displayed the indications are that the 
temperature will remain stationary, or that the 
change will not vary five degrees from the tempera- 
ture of the same hour of the preceding day. White 
flag with black square in center, indicates the ap- 
proach of a sudden and decided fall in temperature. 

The weather predictions are issued at 1 a. m., 
daily for the twenty-lour hours commencing at 7 a. 
m. These predictions are telegraphed to Signal 
Service stations, railroads, post-offices, c^J. 

The cold-wave warnings are telegraphed to the 
principal stations of the service from twenty -lour 
to forty-eight hours in advance, when it is expected 
that the temperature will fall decidedly and sud- 
denly. 

HOW TO MEASURE CORN IN CRIB, ETC. 

This rule will apply to a crib of any size or kind. 
Two cubic feet of good sound dry corn in the ear 
will make a bushel of shelled corn. Then to get the 
quantity of shelled corn in a crib of corn in the ear, 
measure the length breadth and height of the crib, 
inside of the rail, multiply the length by the breadth 
and the product by the height ; then divide the pro- 
duct by two and you have the number of bushels of 
shelled corn in the crib. 

To find the number of apples, potatoes, etc. in a 
bin, multiply the length breadth and thickness to- 
gether, and this product by 8, and point oil one fig- 
wtt in the product for decimals. 



ANTIDOTES FOR POISOITS. 

In case where the other articles to be used as anti- 
dotes are not in the house, give two tablespoonfuls of 
mustard mixed in a pint of warm water. Also give 
large draughts of warm milk or water mixed with 
oil butter or lard. If possible gire as follows: 

For bed-bug poison, blue vitriol, corrosive subli- 
ment, sugar ot lead, sulphate of zinc or red precip- 
itate — give milk or white of eggs in large quanti- 
ties. 

For Fowler's solution or white percipitate, arsenic 
— give prompt emetic of mustard and salt — table- 
spoonful of each ; follow with a quantity of sweet 
oil, butter or milk. 

Forantimunial wine or tartar emetic— drink warm 
water to encourage vomiting. U vomiting does not 
stop give a grain 01 opium in water. 

I'or oil vitriol, muriatic acid or oxalic acid — Mag- 
nesia or soap dissolved in water. Cive every two 
minutes. 

For caustic soda or caustic potash — drink freely of 
water with vinegar or lemon juice in it. 

For carbolic acid— give flour and water or glutin- 
ous drinks. 

For chloral hydrate or chloroform — pour cold wat- 
er over the head and face, with artificial respiration, 
galvanic battery. 

For carbonate of soda, copperas or cobalt — prompt 
emetic ; soap or mucilaginous drinks. 

For laudanam, muipuine or opium — strong cottee 
followed by ground mustard or grease in warm wat- 
er to produce vomiting. Keep in motion. 

For nitrate of silver — give common salt in warm 
water. 

1 or strychnine or tincture nux vomica — emetic of 
mustard or sulphate of zinc, aided by warm water. 

REMEDIES FOR BURNS AND SCALDS. 

Every family should have a preparation of flax- 
seed oil, chalk and vinegar, about the consistency 
ot thick paint, constantly on hand lor burns and 
scalds. The best application in cases of burns and 
scalds is a mixture ot one part of carbolic acid to 
eight parts of olive oil. Lint or linen rags are to be 
saturated in the lotion, and spread smoothly over 
the burned part, which should then be coveied with 
oil silk or gutta-percha tissue to exclude air. 

STRENGTH OF ICE. 

Two inches thick — will support a man. 
Four inches thick — a man on horseback. 
Five inches thick — an eighty-pounder cannon. 
Eight inches thick — a battery of artillery. 
Ten inches thick — will support an army. 

HOW TO MIX INK AND PAINTS FOR TINTS. 

Bed and black makes Brown 

Lake and white makes Kuse 

Umber and white makes mab 

Whiteand brown makes Chestnut 

Bed with light blue makes I'urple 

Blue with lead color makes Feail 

Carmine with white makes fink 

Lamp black with indigo makes Silver Grey 

Lamp black with white makes Lead color 

Paris green with white makes Light green 

Yellow ochie and white makes Buu 

White tinted with purple makes French white 

Black with chrome green makes Dark green 

Emerald Green with white Brilliant green 

Vermilion with chrome yellow Orange 

Yellow with white lead Straw coiur 

White tinted with red and yellow „ Cream 

Yellow, blue, black and red Olive 

COMPOSITION OF SOLDERS. 

Fine solder is an alloy of two parts of block tin, 
and one part of lead. Plumbing solder one part of 
block tin, two parts of lead. Glazing solder is equal 
parts of block tin and lead. 



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